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WOMEN'S WORLD CUP

Women’s World Cup: When will Sam Kerr return to Australia XI?

Australia forward Kerr missed Australia’s opening game against the Republic of Ireland and the 3-2 defeat to Nigeria due to a calf injury.

Kieran Quaile
Kieran Quailekquaile90
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Brisbane (Australia), 29/07/2023.- Australian soccer player Sam Kerr speaks to the media in Brisbane, 29 July 2023. The CommBank Matildas will face Canada in their third and final Group Stage match of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 Australia & New Zealand at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium on July 31. (Mundial de Fútbol, Nueva Zelanda) EFE/EPA/JONO SEARLE AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT
JONO SEARLEEFE

Australia captain Sam Kerr says she will be available to play in the crunch Women’s World Cup clash against Canada on Monday.

Kerr missed Australia’s opening game against the Republic of Ireland (1-0 win) and the 3-2 defeat to Nigeria due to a calf injury.

Crunch clash vs Canada

The Matildas currently sit a point behind Nigeria and Canada in Group B and now need three points from their final group fixture against Canada to progress to the knockout rounds.

Kerr says she is available for Monday’s clash, but gave little away regarding the amount of time she could spend on the field of play.

“I’m definitely going to be available, but how we decide to use that is, you know, not to be given to the opposition,” she said on Saturday.

Sam Kerr reacts after losing the FIFA Women's World Cup Group B match between Australia and Nigeria in Brisbane, Australia, on 27 July 2023.
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Sam Kerr reacts after losing the FIFA Women's World Cup Group B match between Australia and Nigeria in Brisbane, Australia, on 27 July 2023. DARREN ENGLANDEFE

Australia’s leading goalscorer

Kerr, who plies her trade with WSL side Chelsea, is Australia’s all-time leading goalscorer with 63 goals in 121 games for her country.

“I’m going to be there, I’m going to be ready. Like we said at the very, very start of this, the plan was always to miss the first two games and then reassess,” she added.

“That’s where we are now. I had my boots on today, very exciting.”

Gustavsson decides

It now remains to be seen if Australia head coach Tony Gustavsson decides to play Kerr from the start or send her on from the bench. Whatever happens, Canada now have another approach to consider defending against.