Sam Kerr: Star on verge of Matildas return for first time in almost two years

Sam Kerr is on the verge of a first Matildas game since 2023, with coach Joe Montemurro strongly hinting the Perth-born superstar would be named in his upcoming squad for the October international window.

And with next year’s Women’s Asian Cup now less than five months away, Montemurro also had a positive injury update on Mary Fowler as the talismanic attacking midfielder plots her return from a torn ACL.

Kerr has not played for her country since November 2023, having torn her own ACL during a mid-season training camp for Chelsea two months later.

After a longer-than-expected return to full fitness, Kerr only returned to competitive football last month, ending a 20-month absence with a goal against Aston Villa in Chelsea’s Women’s Super League season-opener.

Montemurro was coy over Kerr’s inclusion in his squad to take on Wales and England when it is announced on Friday, labelling her “a good chance of making the squad”.

“It’s great to see her back and I’ve had a few discussions with her, and the great thing is that she’s really got an enthusiasm and a real passion back for the game,” he said.

“That’s the first and foremost important part of that and we’ll definitely do the right thing by her in terms of integrating her.

“She hasn’t played 90 minutes yet, so we’ll just see, getting closer to camp, what sort of minutes we believe is going to be the the best for her so that we make this return perfect, both from a football and a mental perspective.

“The biggest thing before was the communication with the coaches and her and to make sure that we do the right the right thing for her minutes. But it’s just great to have her back.”

Kerr was involved in Matildas camps while out injured, including a stint in her hometown when Montemurro took charge of the squad for four games across June and July.

Arsenal star Steph Catley has served as Kerr’s vice-captain with aplomb, particularly during the Women’s World Cup, but Montemurro said who wore the armband going forward had not been decided.

“Integrating her (Kerr) is probably the first and foremost thing and to be honest, I haven’t had a discussion about it.

“I haven’t spoken to to anyone about it, the focus has been getting the squad to a point where we want to and everyone’s on board with that, but the captaincy will be, assessed once we get closer to to the first game mark.”

When Manchester City star Fowler tore her ACL in April, it immediately put her in a race against time to be fully-fit for next year’s Asian Cup, which the Matildas will kick-off at Optus Stadium on March 1.

But Montemurro said the playmaker was continuing to make good progress, with the 22 year-old already back running.

“She’s going really well and hopefully the end of the year, we’ll see her getting some game time at City. She’s pretty much full into the recovery,” he said.

“They’re at that sort of crucial point now where they are probably starting to push her a little bit more, which is great. I’ll be going to visit next week.

“She’s traveling really well and fingers crossed, the Asian Cup is looking really positive from that perspective.”