Matildas Captain Given Final Say on Playing Time Amid Injury Concerns
Australian football fans eagerly awaiting Sam Kerr's homecoming may see limited action from the superstar striker as she continues to manage her recovery from a serious knee injury. The Matildas captain will have the ultimate decision on how much she features in the upcoming two matches against New Zealand.
Restricted Training Load for Returning Star
The 32-year-old Chelsea forward has been operating under a carefully managed training programme since arriving in Australia for her first home international appearances in two years. Kerr only returned from a lengthy 20-month anterior cruciate ligament injury lay-off in September, highlighting the cautious approach being taken by both club and country.
Her recovery plan saw her miss Chelsea's last two fixtures before travelling to Australia, demonstrating the ongoing nature of her rehabilitation. Matildas coach Joe Montemurro emphasised the importance of sticking to the revised plan for his star player during Thursday's press conference in Gosford, north of Sydney.
Uncertain Starting Role for Sold-Out Clash
Montemurro revealed he hadn't yet determined whether Kerr would start in Friday's sold-out encounter against the Football Ferns, describing the matches as crucial preparation for next year's Asian Cup on home soil. The team will also face New Zealand in Adelaide on December 2 as part of their build-up to the major tournament.
"I haven't even thought about the starting XI, I'll be honest with you," Montemurro stated. "We've got a few players that have just come off flights and are being managed. But we will put out two very good teams over the next two weeks."
When questioned about whether Kerr's minutes would be reduced on Friday night, the coach remained tight-lipped, responding simply: "We'll see."
Player-Led Decision Making Approach
Montemurro confirmed the final decision would rest with his captain, following his philosophy of trusting players to understand their own bodies. "I always leave it up to the player," he explained. "Every player knows their body better than anyone else and knows where they want to be."
The coach expressed satisfaction with Kerr's current progress, noting: "It's all going well, everything's all going to plan, we just need to make sure what's best for Sam. We'll just wait and see."
With both matches against New Zealand serving as vital preparation for the Asian Cup, the Matildas management appears focused on balancing immediate performance needs with long-term player welfare, particularly for their influential captain.
