Matildas face the prospect of no Sam Kerr in the lead-up to the AFC Women’s Asian Cup

Sam Kerr is one of several big names who will not feature for the Matildas in upcoming games against Argentina and the super star’s availability beyond that remains uncertain.

There are growing fears Matildas super striker Sam Kerr might not play for Australia again until the Asian Cup – it comes as interim coach Tom Sermanni prepares to name his final squad to play Argentina – which won’t include Mackenzie Arnold, Mary Fowler or Kerr.

Kerr, hasn’t played football since she ruptured her ACL in January 2024.

Sam Kerr recovering from her January 2024 injury in hospital. Picture: Instagram / Supplied

The English Women’s Super League season finished up at the weekend – Kerr never even made a game day squad list.

Her Chelsea coach Sonia Bompastor hasn’t been able to provide a timeline for Kerr’s return.

The star is highly unlikely to be named in Sermanni’s 23-woman squad for the two game series against Argentina on Wednesday morning.

Sam Kerr looks on from the Chelsea bench after a recent Barclays Women's Super League match. Picture: Harry Murphy – Danehouse/Getty Images

Matildas’ head coach Tom Sermanni is limited in who he can pick for upcoming games. Picture: Saeed Khan / AFP

But with the WSL now in it’s off-season and the season not set to resume until September it also means Kerr is likely to miss the four-game series in her home state of Western Australia in July.

Depending on how her rehab progresses she could possibly also remain unavailable for the October window.

After that the Matildas only other window prior to the Asian Cup is in November/December.

But that will all be issues for the future coach, most likely Joe Montemurro, to sort out.

Olympique Lyon Head Coach Joe Montemurro, who is favourite for the Matildas’ job. Picture: Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images

In the meantime Sermanni is very limited in who he has available for the upcoming games against Argentina.

The window is expected to be Sermanni’s last in charge with the new coach to take over for the June/July window and with key players out it might be a challenge to finish his third stint as coach on a high.

Arnold is expected to be out after posting a photo on her social media pages of herself in a moon boot and with crutches. She missed the last Matildas window with an arm injury. Arnold has been playing in the NWSL for new side Portland Thorns but missed the game at the weekend.

It will open the door for Teagan Micah who has been pushing to take back the No. 1 spot.

Fowler is also unavailable after rupturing her ACL in April.

There is also a question mark over Hayley Raso – she hasn’t played for Tottenham since missing the last Matildas games with a thigh injury.

Fan favourites Katrina Gorry and Ellie Carpenter are both expected to be back in the squad after recovering from their injuries.

Originally published as Matildas face the prospect of no Sam Kerr in the lead-up to the AFC Women’s Asian Cup