Sam Kerr looks set to return for the Matildas in Monday’s round of 16 World Cup clash against Denmark after reportedly taking an important step at training.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Kerr joined the Matildas’ first session since beating Canada and — for the first time since injuring her calf — she had a ball at her feet.
The publication reports that Kerr stretched with teammates, juggled the ball, and then walked with the group before the media was kicked out after its allotted 15 minutes.
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Thursday’s session was intended as a light one before more rigorous sessions on Friday and Saturday — although those will be held behind closed doors, thus keeping Kerr’s true condition secret for longer.
Kerr declared herself ready to play against Canada, but given the Matildas were in control by half time, there was no need for coach Tony Gustavsson to risk the talismanic striker.
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“I was informed that she’s available but for limited minutes, and we agreed together to say if we can win us a week for her, to not risk her to re-injure herself, we’re going to try to protect her and try to win without her. That was always the aim,” Gustavsson said.
“If we would have been in a situation where we would have needed her, she was willing to take that risk and come on. But she was also very clear: let’s not get to that point. And we did it, and I think we’re all happy about that.”
With the Matildas surviving, Kerr has been afforded an extra week to recover and now appears on track to make her first involvement at the World Cup.
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