Sam Kerr out of Matildas squad after team confirms problem

The Matildas have announced Sam Kerr will not feature in Australia’s next matches after her football club confirmed a problem.

Sam Kerr of Chelsea. Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images.

Sam Kerr is out of the Matildas squad for next week’s two-match series against Canada.

The Aussie captain has withdrawn from the squad as a result of a foot injury, the Matildas announced in a statement.

Chelsea has also announced Kerr will remain with the football club and undergo further assessment from the club’s medical department during this period.

It comes after Alex Chidiac was re-called to the squad after being left out earlier this month when the squad was first announced.

Kerr is one of several World Cup heroes to miss the Canada matches with Mackenzie Arnold (arm), Charlotte Grant (hamstring), Courtnee Vine (hamstring) and Holly McNamara (knee) also unavailable.

The news about Kerr’s foot has caught some by surprise after she starred in Chelsea’s most recent matches.

The 30-year-old played 81 minutes and scored a first half goal in Chelsea’s 5-2 win over Leicester on Monday.

She also scored a hat-trick against Paris FC in Friday’s 4-1 Women’s Champions League win.

Chelsea’s next game is against Arsenal on December 10.

Sam Kerr celebrates after scoring her team’s third goal against Leicester. Photo by Tom Dulat/Getty Images.

Sarah Hunter has been called up to replace Kerr with the 20-year-old earning a spot in the Matildas squad for the first time.

A former Young Matildas FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup captain and Sydney FC Premiership and Championship player, Hunter plies her club trade with UEFA Women’s Champions League side Paris FC, NCA NewsWire reports.

Hunter has been a key member of the U23 Women’s National Team side over the past two years and joins Amy Sayer and Charlize Rule as part of the cohort of strongly performing U23 players to be rewarded with senior call ups.

Australia will take on Canada from 2.30am (AEDT) on Saturday morning.

The Matildas’ year finishes with a second clash against the World No.10 ranked team on December 6.

Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson earlier this month said the matches against familiar foes Canada, the reigning Olympic gold medallists, would serve as good preparations for Australia’s February home-and-away battle with Uzbekistan for a spot in the 2024 Olympic Games women’s football tournament.

“We know plenty about Canada with some fierce battles over the past 18 months,” Gustavsson said.

“These final 180 minutes of the year against a nation that has already qualified for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games are the type of preparation matches that are invaluable for the players.

“Our selected squad continues to meld established performers with some new players that have impressed in their league form recently.

“The two matches will allow us to continue evolving our play heading into the final phase of Olympic qualification and beyond against a challenging opponent.

“It is critical to our continued growth as a team and for the players to test ourselves against quality nations.”