Injured Kerr won’t take risks with recovery
SAM Kerr insists she won’t rush her return from injury and jeopardise the Matildas’ quest to qualify for the Olympics.
The Australia captain is battling a quadriceps injury that has put her in doubt for tomorrow’s clash with Chinese Taipei in Sydney. “It’s day-today, really,” Kerr said.
“I’ve got the best medical staff I could probably have working with me and it feels really good today.
“But I’ve got a fair bit to get through until Friday. There’ll be no risks taken and I don’t want to jeopardise myself or the team’s performance.”
Kerr is instead likely to be managed through a gruelling week of football that also includes matches against Thailand on Monday, then China on Thursday.
China are ranked world No.15 and are considered the Matildas’ major hurdle in advancing to the next stage of qualifying for Tokyo.
The 26-year-old West Australian, who has spent the past month with her new club Chelsea in England’s Women’s Super League, conceded she was unlikely to feature in all three qualifying games for the Matildas.
“I’d be lying if I said I would probably play all three, but I don’t think many players will play all three this week,” she said. “It’s going to be different circumstances for everyone, and this injury’s been hanging around for a little bit.
“I just want to get it right and make sure the team has everyone on the field that’s fit and ready to go and that they’re not really carrying anyone.”