Matildas captain Sam Kerr officially out of Paris games as Clare Hunt recalled for series against China

With the Olympic Games fast approaching a final call has been made on injured captain Sam Kerr after her devastating injury.

The recovery task proved too hard for injured Matildas captain Sam Kerr who will miss the Paris Olympics as coach Tony Gustavsson endures a “very, very tough period with injuries” ahead of the Games.

Kerr suffered an ACL injury while on a training camp with her club Chelsea in early January and Football Australia confirmed the superstar striker would continue her rehabilitation program in her home club environment and subsequently will not be available for selection.

The captain’s name was always going to absent from a squad for pre-Olympic clashes with China which includes key defender Clare Hunt who has recovered from a foot injury.

The Paris Saint-Germain centre-back missed the Matildas’ 2-0 win over Mexico last month, but fears she would be in doubt for Australia’s Olympic Games campaign have been eased with her selection for games against China on May 31 (Adelaide) and June 3 (Sydney).

Sam Kerr will not take part in the Olympics. (Photo by IZHAR KHAN / AFP)

Also returning to the squad after overcoming injuries are Leicester City defender Courtney Nevin and Melbourne Victory goalkeeper Lydia Williams, who will retire from international football after the Olympics.

The squad also includes three members of the Arsenal team – Steph Catley, Caitlin Foord and Kyra Cooney-Cross – taking on the A-League women’s All-Stars at Marvel Stadium on Friday night.

However, star midfielder Katrina Gorry (ankle) and veteran Aivi Luik (hamstring) remain sidelined along with long-term casualties Amy Sayer (knee) and Kerr.

“Unfortunately we have had a very very tough period with injuries,” Gustavsson said.

“I just got the summary sheet here a week ago and 15 out of these 37 players are either injured or just coming back from injury which means some of the players that are selected now is selected to be evaluated where they are with their physical status in the gym window and see where they will potentially become the Olympics.

“I think everyone can do the math here and understand that obviously the Olympic roster will be based mostly out of those that are in camp. “

Clare Hunt is back in the Matildas squad. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

Gustavsson knows exactly which players he wants in his squad in terms of positions, but knows he may have to wait to see who is actually available as the Matildas pursue a first ever Olympics medal.

“This window will be a tough one for me and my staff in terms of evaluating players, where they are, and then the final selection process for Paris,” he said.

“I have to make some decisions in June based on players that I think might become available come the Olympics and then closer to the tournament we can see if we have to do an injury replacement or not but that comes into place as well.”

“We want to use this camp to summarise the evolved playing style we have built upon in the last couple of months.

“With the Olympics approaching, selection is about seeing the overall picture over four years of performance and assembling the best team possible.

“We have looked at providing cover in each of the different positions and ensuring the player profile for those positions enhance the squad.

“We are pleased and confident we have those options across the pitch.”

The Matildas will play China in Adelaide and Sydney before the Paris Olympics.

Matildas: Mackenzie Arnold, Ellie Carpenter, Steph Catley (c), Kyra Cooney-Cross, Caitlin Foord, Mary Fowler, Sharn Freier, Charlotte Grant, Winonah Heatley, Michelle Heyman, Clare Hunt, Alanna Kennedy, Teagan Micah, Courtney Nevin, Clare Polkinghorne, Hayley Raso, Kaitlyn Torpey, Emily van Egmond, Cortnee Vine, Clare Wheeler, Jada Whyman, Lydia Williams, Tameka Yallop.

Originally published as Matildas captain Sam Kerr officially out of Paris games as Clare Hunt recalled for series against China