- Star was not listed in the Matildas’ squad for upcoming matches
- Is yet to return to the field 18 months after suffering knee injury
Matildas superstar Sam Kerr has shocked her fans by making a surprise return to training with the national side as they prepare for their first matches under new coach Joe Montemurro.
The Chelsea star let fans in on her shock move with an Instagram post showing a photo of the Sam Kerr Football Centre in Perth, where the Tillies are training, and a shot of her feet as she was about to take the field, along with three grinning face with sweat emojis.
Kerr was not named in the team’s 33-player squad to take on in friendlies on Slovenia and Panama in friendlies to be held on June 26 and 29, and July 5 and 8.
She also wasn’t sighted as her teammates arrived down under to begin their preparation over the last few days.
It’s the first time Kerr has trained with the side since April, when she did some light work ahead of the friendlies against South Korea but did not see any playing time.
She has just finished a holiday in Mallorca with fiancee Kristie Mewis and their baby son Jagger.
Sam Kerr (pictured training with the Matildas in April) has stunned her fans by jetting back down under to work with the national side
Pictured: The Instagram post Kerr used to reveal she’s back in her home town of Perth
The striker also pictured this shot of the Matildas’ training centre, which is named after her
The 31-year-old suffered a serious knee injury when she ruptured her ACL during a training camp with Chelsea in January last year.
Her progress with the knee has been the subject of heavy speculation as it has taken longer than expected.
In April, Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor revealed Kerr would not return before the end of the Women’s Super League season in England.
Earlier this month, Montemurro revealed that the striker had been forced to undergo a second surgical ‘intervention’ on a fresh mystery injury that had been kept a secret from fans.
It was reported that Kerr returned to Australia to undergo the procedure and she made a surprise appearance at the A-League Women’s grand final in May, about a week after Mewis gave birth to their son.
Montemurro stated he won’t be making an official call on Kerr’s future as Australia captain, until she returns to play.
He explained that Kerr was back training on grass, having undergone the surgical procedure, while also revealing that her knee injury was much better.
‘I think there were some complications and I’ve only caught up with the scenario in the last 24 hours,’ he said.
Kerr made the trip to Western Australia after enjoying a holiday in Spain with fiancee Kristie Mewis (pictured together) and their baby son Jagger
Matildas fans are pictured with the Chelsea star during her last training stint with the team in Sydney
‘There was a subsequent intervention, but I do believe she is now back running.
‘I think it was something completely different (to the existing knee injury). I think the knee is fine.
‘I think there was some other issues, but again I’ve only been briefed in the last 24 hours.’
Thursday night’s match against Slovenia will be Montemurro’s first match in charge of the side and the four friendlies are an important building block ahead of the 2026 Asian Cup in Australia, the 2027 World Cup in Brazil, and the 2028 Olympics.
Montemurro has already held meetings with his players, and Clare Wheeler is liking the fluid and control-style game plan the former Arsenal, Lyon and Juventus coach is encouraging.
‘As a midfielder, you want to get on the ball,’ Wheeler said.
‘So it’s great when a coach says that he wants you on the ball. I think that’s music to our ears.
‘And it’s also a challenge … especially against, opposition where you’re under pressure a lot.
‘But I think when you have that trust from your coach that believes in the team to be able to do that, it feels good.
‘I can’t wait to get started.’
