Sam Kerr ‘irrelevant’ as Matildas coach dismisses talk of captain’s comeback

Speculation around Sam Kerr’s Matildas captaincy rages on as she is rubbed out of the next round of international matches.

Sam Kerr will be a noticeable absentee when the Matildas play at the SheBelieves Cup this weekend, despite the Aussie captain being found not guilty of racial harassment.

The 31-year-old remains unavailable for selection but it has nothing to do with the case, with Kerr still working to return from an ACL injury that has kept her on the sidelines for more than 12 months.

But questions remain over if she will retain the captains armband when she returns to the team.

However, interim Matildas coach Tom Sermanni was in no mood to speculate on Thursday (AEDT) labelling it “irrelevant” to the upcoming tournament.

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Sermanni said the injured captain hadn’t been a focus of any team meeting in the lead-up and said her place in the side is something that can be sorted later.

“It hasn’t really been on the radar,” Sermanni said.

“We’ve just come into camp and there hasn’t really been much time to do much, but the team is in good spirits, upbeat and if there’s anything to be discussed about that then we’ll discuss it at some stage during the tournament.”

Sam Kerr won’t be available for the SheBelieves Cup. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)

Sermanni also refused to confirm or deny if he would strip the striker of the armband and reiterated his only focus is getting her back healthy.

“The most important part is that we get Sam healthy as quickly and as safely as possible and get her back on the field,” Sermanni said.

“The captaincy issue is quite irrelevant to me because by the time she comes back into the team, I might not be here. There’s really no point commenting on it.

“Whatever decision gets made, who makes it and who is involved, I really don’t know at the moment because it’s really completely and utterly not part of our focus.

“At this minute in time, Sam is injured. She has been injured for 13 months and the team is just getting on with its normal business.

“So it’s not part of the conversation, when it does become part of the conversation, then I’ll know more but at the moment it is irrelevant.”

Sam Kerr won’t feature for the Matildas again until likely April. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)

Sermanni, who gave Kerr her international debut, said he had spoken to the 31-year-old since her court case wrapped up.

“We’ve been in touch through text but it’s important for me at the moment, it’s been a pretty long week for Sam, the last thing she needs is people constantly badgering her at this time,” Sermanni said.

“But we’ve had some contact, she knows we are thinking of her. The physios are keeping in touch with Chelsea, the line of communication is very much open.”

The Matildas will take the field for the opening round of the SheBelieves Cup on Friday at 9am AEDT.

Originally published as Sam Kerr ‘irrelevant’ as Matildas coach dismisses talk of captain’s comeback