Injured Football Ferns strikers given time
Tom Sermanni is going to give injured strikers Amber Hearn and Hannah Wilkinson every chance to make the Football Ferns squad for the World Cup.
The experienced duo sit first and fourth on the country’s goalscoring charts and will figure heavily in their coach’s plans – provided they recover in time from the serious knee injuries they suffered last year.
Sermanni will have to name his 23-strong squad about 10 days before the start of the tournament in France on July 7 and he has said he will keep an open mind for as long as possible.
‘‘The aim for me is this. I’ve got to pick the best team available and I’ve got to use whatever means or methods to do that.
‘‘Depending on the player, depending on the circumstance, I want to give myself as much time and as much leeway as possible, so that when we go to France, we go with the strongest squad possible.’’ Wilkinson, who has scored 25 international goals, appears to be slightly ahead of Hearn, who has scored 54, in making a return to fitness, with both players passing tests to measure their progress in recent weeks.
Having previously suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in 2015, Wilkinson, 26, knows what it takes to recover from one.
Sermanni said that while she was ahead of the curve, he remained cautious.
‘‘She has put in an amazing shift to get to where she is and shown such professionalism and dedication and she’s been rewarded.
‘‘Her knee is really strong, and touch wood, her progress will continue.’’
Hearn, 34, opted not to have surgery, which has left her recovery less clearcut, Sermanni said.
‘‘She’s obviously gone down a different track in that she’s coming back from this injury without going through the operation, so the outcome of that is a less bit certain, but she’s in a good place and she’s making good progress.’’
The Football Ferns begin their final preparations for the World Cup next week, when they take on hosts Australia, Argentina, and South Korea in the Cup of Nations friendly tournament.
After that they have a pair of matches against Norway in Spain in early April, a match against the United States on May 17 and one against England on June 2. Another could yet be added in late May.
An extended squad is set to assemble prior to the US match and remain in camp through to the end of the World Cup, where the Ferns are seeking a first win at the tournament and a place in the knockout stages for the first time, with Cameroon, Canada, and Netherlands in their pool.
Sermanni said he has a good idea of who would be in his plans come May and June.
‘‘I think this tournament in Australia will be a big indicator for us, but generally at this time in your preparation, of your 20 outfield players, you’re looking at 15 or 16 that are pretty much pencilled in. Obviously with Amber and Wilky that makes it a little bit more complex.
‘‘Then for the last three or four spots, you’re looking at six to eight players and you’re making those marginal decisions.’’