Sam Kerr injured: how long is Australian star out of Women’s World Cup?

Australia’s Women’s World Cup campaign has been dealt a significant blow with the news that star forward and team captain, Sam Kerr, will miss at least two crucial matches due to a calf injury sustained during a training session. The setback has raised concerns about Kerr’s availability for the remainder of the tournament and poses a challenge for the Matildas, who are have an outside chance of clinching victory on home soil.

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Sam Kerr staying positive despite setback

The injury news emerged just before the tournament’s kickoff, forcing Kerr, believed to be the highest paid player in the game, to sit out the highly anticipated opener against Ireland on Thursday. In an Instagram post shared barely an hour before the game, the 29-year-old Chelsea striker expressed her disappointment at not being able to participate but remained optimistic about the team’s journey ahead.

“I wanted to share this with everyone so there is no distraction from us doing what we came here to achieve,” she wrote on Instagram. “Of course I would have loved to have been out there tonight but I can’t wait to be a part of this amazing journey which starts now.”

Kerr, who holds the record as the all-time leading goal scorer for Australia with 63 goals, is an essential component of Tony Gustavsson’s squad, and her absence will undoubtedly be felt on the field. The Australian team will be eager to see her return as soon as possible to bolster their chances of securing victory in the tournament.

With high hopes riding on the Matildas’ shoulders, Kerr’s injury couldn’t have come at a worse time. The team has been in remarkable form, winning nine of their last ten matches, including impressive victories over France and England, the latter ending England’s 30-game unbeaten streak. The loss of their captain and talisman adds an element of uncertainty to their World Cup campaign.

The Australian team has announced that Kerr will be re-assessed by the medical team after their second group stage match against Nigeria on 27 July. Her return date remains uncertain, leaving fans anxious and hopeful that she can rejoin the action in the later stages of the tournament.

Kerr injured against France

Speculation about Kerr’s injury arose after the friendly against France when she was spotted with an ice pack on her hamstring after being substituted in the 62nd minute. Despite these concerns, the severity of the injury wasn’t immediately apparent until the recent calf issue during training.

The Matildas are looking forward to playing in front of their home crowd, and Kerr, who is featuring in her fourth World Cup, expressed her pride in representing her country at such an esteemed event. Her absence on the pitch for these crucial matches will be felt not only by her teammates but also by the passionate fans who were eagerly anticipating her performances.