FIFA World Cup: Sam Kerr back from injury for Canada game

Injured star Matilda Sam Kerr is fit to play the must win World Cup clash against Canada on Monday night.

Injured Australian captain Sam Kerr (C) laughs with coaching staff before a training session at Perry Park in Brisbane on July 26, 2023 ahead of their match against Nigeria in the Women's World Cup football tournament. (Photo by Patrick HAMILTON / AFP)

From the outside we have seen Sam Kerr walking laps around the pitch, picking up yoga mats and cheering from the sideline but behind closed doors the Matildas’ captain has spent more time training than any of her teammates so she could get on the pitch for her home World Cup.

And it has paid off – just in time.

The star forward, arguably the best women’s footballer in the world, has declared herself fit and ready to make a heroic comeback in the do-or-die clash with Canada on Monday night.

Kerr injured her calf muscle in a training session just 24 hours before the Matildas’ opening Cup game against Ireland.

She kept the surprise injury under wraps – revealing she would miss the Ireland and Nigeria games via social media about an hour before the first game kicked off.

Physiotherapists said Kerr’s injury, which hasn’t been publicly announced, could take 3-6 weeks to recover from. But Kerr has worked around the clock in order to be fit and not miss the chance to play at a home World Cup.

Sam Kerr is all smiles as she declares herself fit for Canada on Monday night. Picture: Richard Walker

“Any athlete will tell you when you have a slight hiccup or a small injury or a big injury for that matter it’s more work than when you’re on the training pitch,” Kerr said.

“I’ve been putting in a lot of work. I’ve been doing everything possible and I’ve had a lot of help from a lot of people.

“Every single person has been so supportive of helping me, I’ve had a lot of support from my teammates but I’ve done everything under the sun to make sure I “m ready for (Monday).

“I’ve done everything I can and no matter what happens I know that I’ve given everything, not just in the last 10 days but in the last four years. I’ve given everything to be here.”

The road to recover in such a short time frame, with the pressure of a World Cup on her shoulders, has been tough.

Kerr said she would start the day with the team in the morning and then not finish until about 3.30 or 4pm.

“But part of coming back from an injury is the mental side of it too so there is time to switch off and enjoy things with my teammates,” Kerr said.

“I’ve been watching the games with the girls and switching off from the outside but it’s more work when you’re injured every athlete knows that – but there is a bit of good candy at the end.”

Her comeback couldn’t come at a better time.

Sam Kerr says she feels good and plan has always been same. Feeling as good as she can be.

Say she’ll be there and be ready. Had boots on today. Feels excited. #[e-mail]/sDKdhjh1h0

— Veronica Eggleton (@veggleton) July 29, 2023

The Matildas are sitting third in their group – their World Cup hopes resting on whether or not they can get a win against Olympic champions Canada in Melbourne on Monday night.

Kerr trained with the team, with her boots on, for the first time in 10 days on Saturday.

She wouldn’t be pushed on revealing how many minutes she would play though.

“I would love to tell you guys everything … but that is a massive thing that the opposition wants to know,” Kerr said.

“And like Tony said yesterday, it’s gonna go down to the wire. I’m definitely going to be available but how we decide to use that is not to be given to the opposition.”

Kerr said battling the injury had been tough – but she was also grateful it hadn’t been anything more serious than a calf muscle.

“I’ve never had an injury like this before in my career,” Kerr said. “Normally when I’ve been injured it’s been a really big one where I’ve been out for months on end. It’s obviously disappointing and then I had to suck it up.

“I’ve been lucky enough over the last couple of years.

“I’ve always been on the pitch with this team. I’ve always had teammates that have not been on the pitch and supported me and got me over the line so that’s been my role the last 10 days and to be honest it’s an honour to be here.

“The most important thing is that I’m a good teammate and I support my team.

“I’m lucky to have a small injury compared to some other people.”

Kerr said she was feeling “really confident” with the Matildas’ ability to defeat the Olympic champions and keep their World Cup hopes alive.

“I think last time we played them we obviously didn’t get the results but we had four or five players out missing,” Kerr said.

“I feel really confident, we’ve grown so much over the last year and we spoke about last time we were in the Olympics and we had to tie with the world champions, I don’t know which one is the bigger step to take.

“I feel really confident. I think (Friday) was a day to digest the game and go through it but (Saturday) we woke up with a spring in our step and everyone is feeling really good.”

Kerr isn’t the only big name set to rejoin the team for the clash with exciting young forward Mary Fowler and Aivi Luik expected to be cleared, after missing the last match under Football Australia’s concussion protocols.

The Matildas will play Canada at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium at 8pm on Monday (AEST).

Originally published as FIFA World Cup: Sam Kerr back from injury for Canada game