Interim Matildas coach Tom Sermanni hopeful that Sam Kerr will join the squad in camp this month despite her injury

She remains sidelined with injury, but star striker Sam Kerr is still a part of interim Matildas coach Tom Sermanni’s upcoming plans.

Interim Matildas coach Tom Sermanni wants injured star Sam Kerr part of Australia’s camp for this month’s friendly games against Switzerland and Germany in Europe despite her still being sidelined with a long-term knee injury.

Sermanni on Friday named a 23-player squad for the games in Zurich (October 26 AEDT) and Duisburg (October 29, AEDT), with a notable absentee being former Sydney FC star Cortnee Vine.

Now playing for American club North Carolina Courage, Vine – who withdrew from the Matildas squad for Olympic Games qualifiers in February against Uzbekistan for “personal reasons” – isn't injured but seemingly asked not to be chosen.

“I’ve had a really good conversation with Cortnee,” Sermanni said,

“She’s just recently gone over to the NWSL in America, and just wants a little bit more time to settle into that environment and to make sure that when she comes back into the Matildas environment, she’s fully ready and fully focused to do so.”

Also missing from the squad is Liverpool goalkeeper Teagan Micah, who is sidelined with an ankle injury.

Kerr’s absence is ongoing as she continues her recovery from the ruptured anterior cruciate ligament she suffered in January.

“I did have a good conversation with Sam. She’s quite rightly taking time to recover from this injury, because at her age and her stage and her career, it’s really, really important that she doesn’t try to cut corners and come back too quickly,” said Sermanni, who was unsure whether Kerr would fit for Australia matches in late November and early December against Brazil and Chinese Taipei.

Cortnee Vine is missing from the latest Matildas squad. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

However, Kerr is considering a request from Sermanni for her to part of the Matildas contingent in a non-playing capacity later this month.

“We’re still having that conversation,” Sermanni said.

“Some players will walk across hot coals to come into camp regardless of their condition (but) some players who are injured often don’t like to be in the team environment, so we’re having that discussion with Sam at the moment.

“Just her presence in the camp is great. It’s great for the players, it’s great for the staff.

“It’s always good to have someone of that calibre, and someone who’s now, a really mature player and a leader in the team, so having those players present around the camp is always a big bonus.”

Sermanni, who has taken over from the departed Tony Gustavsson, said the next two camps were a chance to set the “foundations” for the Matildas’ assault on the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup.”

“The last couple of weeks has been a whirlwind of phone calls, text messages and virtual meetings but nothing beats the opportunity to come together face-to-face,” he said.

Sermanni promised the Matildas would continue to play a “dynamic, attacking type of football” but with a more measured approach compared to Gustavsson’s tactics.

“The key thing is … we need to be a far more pragmatic team when it comes to the highest level in international competition, and it’s bringing back those football elements to the team that’s really important,” he said.

Matildas squad: Mackenzie ARNOLD, Ellie CARPENTER, Steph CATLEY (c), Kyra COONEY-CROSS, Caitlin FOORD, Mary FOWLER, Sharn FREIER, Daniela GALIC, Katrina GORRY, Charlotte GRANT, Winonah HEATLEY, Michelle HEYMAN, Clare HUNT, Alanna KENNEDY, Chloe LINCOLN, Courtney NEVIN, Clare POLKINGHORNE, Hayley RASO, Kaitlyn TORPEY, Emily VAN EGMOND, Clare WHEELER, Jada WHYMAN, Tameka YALLOP

Originally published as Interim Matildas coach Tom Sermanni hopeful that Sam Kerr will join the squad in camp this month despite her injury