- Fowler has been Down Under while she’s rehabbing injury
- Aussie national side are gearing up for next year’s Asian Cup
Mary Fowler has been spotted enjoying a dinner in a top Sydney restaurant with her boyfriend Nathan Cleary and his family in another sign rumours about their relationship were wrong.
The new sighting comes after Matildas coach Joe Montemurro revealed the 22-year-old is on track to make her return from a serious knee injury in time to play in next year’s Asian Cup.
Fowler was sighted with Nathan at famous Italian eatery Totti’s in Sydney’s inner west this week, and they were joined by the NRL star’s father and coach, Ivan, and his sister Indi.
It’s the latest in a list of signs that speculation their romance was in trouble were off the mark.
Out-of-character moves by both stars on social media, coupled with the fact Nathan wasn’t there to greet Fowler when she flew into Sydney, seemed to point to a change in their dynamic.
However, Mary was then spotted cheering Nathan on as his Panthers beat the Wests Tigers last Saturday, followed by the couple smiling and laughing as they were photographed leaving Penrith headquarters together on Sunday.
Pictured: Nathan Cleary and Mary Fowler enjoy an Italian meal in Sydney this week with the Penrith star’s sister Indi (right, facing camera) and father Ivan (out of shot)
The family dinner is the latest sign that rumours the high-profile couple’s romance was in trouble were off the mark
In addition to the great news about Kerr’s knee, Montemurro revealed he also expects Sam Kerr to be fit and firing as they prepare to play Asian heavyweights South Korea, the Philippines and Iran in the group stage of the Asian Cup.
Fowler is on target to return to action by November, less than seven months after rupturing her anterior cruciate ligament in the FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United in April.
The 22-year-old was facing close to a year on the sidelines, in what shaped as a hammer blow to Australia’s hopes of winning the Asian Cup.
But coach Montemurro says Fowler is progressing better than expected ahead of the March tournament.
‘I spoke to her the other day and she’s on track,’ Montemurro said.
‘She’s in Sydney at the moment doing some running.
‘She’s looking good, and she should be hopefully back playing before November.’
Fowler had been in dynamic form for City, scoring 10 goals across all competitions, and underlined her ability with a starring role in Australia’s recent international friendlies against South Korea.
It’s been revealed that Fowler’s comeback from a serious knee injury is ahead of schedule
The 22-year-old ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in her knee in April – but is now on track to return to the field just seven months later
Fowler (pictured rehabbing the injury) should be fit and firing when the Matildas host the Asian Cup next year – and so should Sam Kerr
‘She’s a special player and a special player not just for Australia but worldwide,’ Montemurro said.
‘She’s that X-factor, and you need those X-factors in these tournaments.
‘You need that player to unlock something at times and to have Mary involved will be really good.’
Montemurro is just as optimistic about striker Kerr’s return for the continental tournament.
Unlike Fowler, Kerr’s recovery from an anterior cruciate ligament tear has been prolonged.
The 31-year-old hasn’t played since suffering the injury while training with English powerhouse Chelsea in January 2024.
Kerr had suffered another injury – not related to the ACL – that also required surgery, but has returned to pre-season training at Chelsea.
‘It was important that she didn’t jump straight into pre-season. It was important that there was a build,’ Montemurro said.
‘Hopefully, by the end of pre-season, she’ll be at the level with everyone else and then she’s up for game time, so everything’s tracking positively.’
Australia will kick off their bid for a second Asian Cup trophy when they host the Philippines in the opening match at Perth’s Optus Stadium on March 1.
The Matildas will then play on Iran at Cbus Super Stadium on the Gold Coast on March 5, before facing South Korea at Sydney’s Accor Stadium on March 8.
