New Matildas coach Joe Montemurro says Sam Kerr’s presence in Perth is building a positive energy around the new-look squad

She can’t play and no-one knows exactly when she will but Sam Kerr just being around the Matildas in Perth is creating a special buzz.

Matildas coach Joe Montemurro says injured star Sam Kerr has brought “fantastic” energy to his maiden training camp with the new boss spending as much time in recent days “meeting players” in his squad as planning for Thursday’s clash with Slovenia.

Kerr was given permission by club side Chelsea to continue her rehabilitation from both an ACL injury suffered in January, 2024, and a fresh issue which needed surgery, with her national teammates who are getting a speedy introduction to the way Montemurro wants the Matildas to play.

There remains no set return playing date for Kerr who Montemurro said was a welcome addition to the group, assembled in her home state, as she continued to build her “physical capacity”.

“It’s fundamentally a situation where she’s now building her physical capacity, and we’ll monitor that through,” Montemurro said on Wednesday.

“The important thing is, we’re working with Chelsea to make sure she’s right for pre-season and she gets some games under her belt.

Ellie Carpenter in action during a Matildas training session. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

“It is an individual sort of process, but it’s great to have her around the group, and her energy is fantastic.”

Vice-captain Ellie Carpenter, returning to national duties after personal leave, during which time she got married, said having Kerr around, even keeping a low profile, was always a boost, given she’d been absent from the field for so long.

“She’s a massive player, also a massive character for the team,” she said.

“She’s been absent from the team for a while, so it’s nice to have her training individually, and hopefully, soon she can be back with us.”

Not everything has gone to plan for the Matildas this week, with midfielder Clare Wheeler withdrawing for personal reasons and she won’t take play in any of the four games against Slovenia and Panama.

Clare Wheeler is out of the Matildas squad for personal reasons. . (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

Western United midfielder Chloe Berryhill and Central Coast Mariners defender Jessika Nash joined the squad, giving Montemurro more players to indoctrinate to a system he hopes can put them on track to winning the 2026 Asian Cup.

He said plenty of the 34-players in the squad could expect to see game time across the next four games.

“It is the official start of our build up for the Asian Cup. So, you know, yes, I am looking at a lot of players,” he said.

“Yes, I am trying to instil some language. Yes, I am trying to instil some new ideas. 

Joe Montemurro during a Matildas training session (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

“But, you know, the approach to the game is still the same. We’re playing at home so the attitude has to be, you know, it’s a big game. It’s a game that we want to win.

“It’s a game that we want to make sure that we do the right things to get that mentality leading into a big tournament.”

Originally published as New Matildas coach Joe Montemurro says Sam Kerr’s presence in Perth is building a positive energy around the new-look squad