Sam Kerr posts from hospital bed as Tameka Yallop hails Matildas depth

With Sam Kerr going under the knife, the Matildas are going to have to rely on less familiar faces to secure their spot at the Olympics.

Tony Gustavsson’s efforts to build the depth of the Matildas squad could prove crucial. Picture: James Worsfold/Getty Images

Matildas midfielder Tameka Yallop says the tactics which earned Tony Gustavsson plenty of criticism will be what gets the national team over the line against Uzbekistan without goal scoring hero Sam Kerr.

As Kerr posted the first photo of herself post-surgery on Instagram, showing the thumbs up to her 1.8m followers with her right leg in a compression bandage, the Matildas continue to plot ways to ensure they not only qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics but reach their goal of bringing home a medal.

Yallop, talking after the Brisbane Roar lost to Newcastle 2-1 on Saturday night, said their depth would be key at the upcoming Olympic Qualifiers.

Depth is something Gustavsson has worked hard to build since taking over the squad in September 2020.

His efforts to do so, which have included playing very inexperienced players against top class teams like Spain and Canada, haven’t always got a great reaction from fans or pundits. Particularly after a 7-0 loss to Spain.

But it was those matches that allowed Gustavsson to find rising stars Charli Grant, who just signed a contract with WSL club Tottenham, Kyra Cooney-Cross, who now plays for Arsenal. And it was those matches which have ensured Australia’s under-23s captain Amy Sayer is up to the task of playing senior football.

Amy Sayer in action against Canada. Picture: Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images

Yallop said with Kerr ruled out of the qualifiers with an ACL injury and incredibly unlikely to play at the Olympics should the Matildas qualify – having the depth in the squad had the team confident they could deliver good results.

“It’s tough for Sam and all the girls are rallying around her, it’s such a major injury and for it to happen to anyone is devastating,” Yallop said.

“We’re all here for Sam and she knows that.”

The Matildas will take on Uzbekistan for the final leg of the Olympic Qualifiers on February 24 and then in front of a home crowd on February 28.

“We’ve worked hard, especially since TG came in to grow depth within our squad and we can get results without Sam,” Yallop said.

“She’s an amazing player and she is a pleasure to watch as well, which is what makes it so exciting when she plays but we’ve definitely got the depth within the squad to perform.”

Originally published as Sam Kerr posts from hospital bed as Tameka Yallop hails Matildas depth