Athens News - Sam Kerr poised to return for Australia's Matildas

NYSE - LSE
RBGPF -1.84% 62.6 $
CMSC 0% 22.82 $
BCC 0.34% 79.27 $
JRI 1.92% 12.99 $
CMSD 0.3% 23.13 $
RYCEF 5.7% 15.8 $
RIO 3.97% 100.48 $
BCE 2.19% 23.78 $
RELX 2.16% 36.59 $
GSK 1.74% 52.31 $
NGG 3.98% 89.54 $
AZN 1.16% 187.37 $
VOD 2.91% 15.8 $
BTI 2.3% 58.8 $
BP 1.22% 47.38 $
Sam Kerr poised to return for Australia's Matildas
Sam Kerr poised to return for Australia's Matildas / Photo: COLIN MURTY - AFP

Sam Kerr poised to return for Australia's Matildas

Sam Kerr is poised to return to international football following a lengthy injury layoff after she was named Friday in Australia's squad to take on Wales and England.

Text size:

But there was no indication whether the Chelsea striker -- who has not played for the Matildas in almost two years -- would again be handed the captain's armband.

Matildas coach Joe Montemurro said the 32-year-old's "leadership and presence" were invaluable to the side.

"Having Sam back in the squad is a special moment -- not just for the team, but for Australian football."

Kerr returned to club football for Chelsea in September -- her first match since picking up a serious knee injury in December 2023.

She was found in February not guilty of racially aggravated abuse after calling a British police officer "stupid and white" following a drunken night out.

The Matildas have typically been captained by Arsenal defender Steph Catley in Kerr's absence.

Manchester City midfielder Mary Fowler was not selected after rupturing a ligament in her knee this year.

Australia play Wales in Cardiff on October 25 before facing England in Derby on October 28.

B.Karagiannis--AN-GR