Sam Kerr return for Chelsea imminent after being named in Champions League squad

Sam Kerr hasn’t been spotted on a football pitch for club or country in 15 months — but that’s all set to finally change after a welcome development for the Chelsea star.

Sam Kerr has been named in Chelsea’s Champions League squad. Picture: Getty Images

Sam Kerr’s return to the pitch is one step closer after being named in Chelsea’s squad for their upcoming Champions League clash.

It is the first time the Australian striker has been named in any team for club or country since rupturing her ACL in January 2024 while on a training camp with Chelsea.

Coach Sonia Bompastor, in the pre-match press conference, said it was “difficult to predict” when Kerr would get on the field but being included in the match day squad is a big sign her return is nearing.

Australian interim coach Tom Sermanni will no doubt be keeping a close eye on Kerr with the Matildas set to take on South Korea in a two-match series in April.

The 31-year-old isn’t expected to get on the pitch for next week’s UEFA Women’s Champions League quarterfinal first leg against Manchester City but she has been named in the 25-woman squad.

Snippets of Kerr being back training with the squad have been shown on social media pages for several weeks.

“For Sam we will see,” Bompastor said.

Sam Kerr is nearing a return to action for Chelsea. Picture: Getty Images

“She is progressing really well in her rehab but I just want her to feel like the main focus for her will be to work really hard, be the best version of herself.

“If we have positive news and she can bring into the team her experience but also her competencies it will be great.

“I just want to make it clear I think it is not really fair to expect a player who has been injured now for 15 months ... to be the hero in the team.

“I think we have the squad to be able to be successful for the end of the season.”

Kerr has scored 95 goals across her 122 matches for Chelsea, winning five WSL titles along the way.

The mix of Champions League quarterfinals and regular season matches means squad rotation will be key for every team.

“We will look at the four games. We will take them one-by-one but also anticipate and look at all of the block,” the coach said.

“So in terms of management that is why it is important to have depth in the squad.

“We know it is not possible for all the players to play four 9- minutes so this is where we need to be prepared to rotate the squad and we know how we want to do that in the different games in the different competitions.

Originally published as Sam Kerr return for Chelsea imminent after being named in Champions League squad