Matildas v Denmark: Revealing images add to mystery around Sam Kerr’s fitness

The mystery surrounding Sam Kerr’s calf injury deepens with several images showing the superstar striker as an observer at Matildas training. See the exclusive pictures.

The mystery surrounding Sam Kerr’s calf injury deepens with helicopter footage obtained by News Corp showing the superstar striker is still sitting out the majority of training.

The status of Kerr’s fitness has been an ongoing mystery since Australia coach Tony Gustavsson dropped her for the opening group match against Ireland last month just an hour before kick-off.

The Australian camp has since remained tight-lipped about the severity of the injury claiming any information shared publicly could be used against the Matildas by their rivals.

Kerr was pictured using a stationary exercise bike at the start of Sunday’s training session before spending the majority of her time on the sidelines watching on as her team made their final preparations for monday’s do-or-die clash with Denmark in the last 16 of the World Cup.

When asked about a helicopter over their training session, Gustavsson said it was a great indicator of just how much of an impact the World Cup was having on the country’s interest levels. He also suggested that Kerr playing a lesser role in the session was always in his plans.

Sam Kerr, top, didn’t take part in the captain’s run. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

Sam Kerr watches on.

HELICOPTERS have been circling Matildas training sessions ahead of Australia's huge Round of 16 match with Denmark 😱

And it brought the dad jokes out of coach Tony Gustavsson 🤣

The full press conference 📲 https://t.co/mtgksQZJM9#OptusSport#FIFAWWCpic.twitter.com/CrmaakUO0l

— Optus Sport (@OptusSport) August 6, 2023

“You need to respect that there are people out there trying to be creative and get insight to things and want to follow the team in every sense they can,” he said.

“I also hope that the people that potentially capture something show respect to the team and to the fans because I think our fans probably don’t want to have anything revealed that can hurt our performance for tomorrow and whoever captured that, I hope respect our will and the fans will in that sense.

“It does say a lot about the big interest in the team and what’s happening in the country.”

Asked directly about Kerr’s fitness, Gustavsson added: “We had a nice moment as a team yesterday to see her back with the boots on and touching the ball and be with the team in training.

Sam Kerr spots the eye in the sky.

“It was a very good feeling for her and a very good feeling for the players and the teammates and a very good feeling for me. Today she was off feet... she’s also a player we’ll talk about tonight, about how many minutes is suitable.”

Kerr is yet to step foot on the pitch this tournament but as she and the team touched down in Sydney on Sunday, the 29-year-old issued three defiant words.

“I will play.”

Australia v Denmark kicks off at 8:30pm AEST Monday night with a spot in the World Cup quarter-finals on the line.

Originally published as Matildas v Denmark: Revealing images add to mystery around Sam Kerr’s fitness