Sam Kerr is on the bench for Australia in the Women’s World Cup tie with Denmark – as early signs indicate she won’t be getting much playing time
- Sam Kerr has been included in the Matildas squad for Denmark
- Kerr has not yet taken part in the World Cup season in Australia due to a calf injury
- But she is available for the Round of 16 clash with the Danes in Sydney
Sam Kerr has been named on Tony Gustavsson’s bench to take on Denmark as the Matildas aim to reach the quarter-finals of the Women’s World Cup.
Kerr promised reporters over the weekend that she will take part in the last-16 clash with the world number 13 in Sydney after being forced to sit out during the group stage due to a calf injury she sustained on the eve of the tournament.
There were serious concerns about Kerr’s availability throughout Matildas’ campaign, with experts warning of the risk of long-term injury if the 29-year-old was sent back too soon.
And Gustavsson felt it appropriate to select Kerr on the bench for the Round of 16 match at Stadium Australia, with Kerr watching for now.
However, the striker failed to warm up with the team ahead of the game at Stadium Australia, a sign she could only see game time when needed.
That was also the case in the side’s 4-0 victory over Canada in their last group game, when Kerr also failed to warm up and saw no action as the Matildas held the result well.
The Matildas captain posted photos to Instagram on Saturday showing her clearly stepping up her workout, and when she was stopped by TV cameras at Sydney Airport, she gave her strongest comment yet about her condition.
Sam Kerr playing for the Matildas against Denmark in the World Cup Round of 16
“I’m really excited,” Kerr told Channel Nine.
“I’ll play, yes.”
Kerr was confined to a stationary bike during the 15-minute training period open to media on Sunday, which a Football Australia spokesman insisted was a planned session ‘off feet’ as part of her return programme.
“We had a great moment as a team yesterday, seeing her back with the boots on and touching the ball and being at team practice, and it was a really good feeling for her and a really good feeling for the players and the teammates and a very good feeling for me,” said coach Gustavsson.
“Today she was gone. It’s all an individual plan for her during training – I rely 100 percent on my (medical) team to prepare her the best I can.
“She’s also a player that we’ll be talking about tonight to see how many minutes are most appropriate and looking at the 90 minutes, potential for extra time, how we can get the best out of Sam Kerr in the game plan tomorrow.”