Sam Kerr takes massive step on her road to return following horror ACL injury – as Matildas star jets back to Europe
- Sam Kerr has been injured since January 2023 after tearing her cruciate ligament
- After an operation, she has yet to play for Chelsea
Sam Kerr surprised Chelsea fans after returning to training on Sunday afternoon after traveling with Sonia Bompastor’s squad to a warm-weather training camp in Portugal.
The Matildas star tore her cruciate ligament in January last year and underwent knee surgery for the problem while back in England.
The 31-year-old Kerr, who missed the rest of the WSL season, is not expected back in action until February or March but was photographed doing various drills while shooting at goal.
However, it is understood the Australian striker is not yet training with the rest of the Chelsea squad, with US star Mia Fishel also recovering from a cruciate ligament tear.
Kerr was also pictured enjoying a trip to the beach with her teammates during training camp.
The Chelsea star has also had a particularly difficult few weeks after learning her grandmother had been hit by a car. The incident occurred after Coral, 89, got off a bus near her home in Perth.
Sam Kerr has been pictured at Chelsea training during a warm weather training camp
Kerr flew to Portugal to meet the rest of her teammates after spending the festive period in Australia
Kerr enjoyed going to the beach with her teammates and seemed to be moving well as she ran up and down the field with the soccer ball during practice
The driver ended up on the curb with his scooter when he tried to overtake a bus.
Her grandmother, Coral, 89, was taken to Royal Perth Hospital after suffering multiple broken limbs and a concussion.
Kerr and her father, Roger, had been in New South Wales to celebrate the wedding of her Matildas teammate Emily Van Egmond when they heard that Kerr’s grandmother was involved in the incident.
Van Egmond had married her long-term partner Kat Thompson in a vineyard in New South Wales.
Kerr and her father had then flown back to Perth to be with her grandmother.
Kerr attended the wedding with her partner and West Ham star Kristie Mewis, who recently announced she was having a baby.
The couple, who got engaged last year, have been dating since around 2020, with Kerr flying back to their home this week.
Although the Chelsea forward is reluctant to return to training until she is fully fit, her recent progress will no doubt please Matildas coach Tom Sermanni.
Kerr, 31, posted to Instagram a story showing her fiancé Kristie Mewis and the couple’s cat (pictured) at home
The Australian national team boss had raised concerns that Kerr could be out for longer than expected after she suffered a setback in training.
Australia will next be in action at the SheBelieves Cup at the end of February.
They will face Japan, the US and Colombia in the group stage, but that tournament may come a little too early for Kerr as the first match in the group stage takes place on February 21.
Chelsea, meanwhile, sit top of the Women’s Super League, having won nine of their league matches this season.