The Matildas are taking a bigger role in Sam Kerr’s rehabilitation as she closes in on a return to match action but whether interim coach Tom Sermanni is there to coach her looks unlikely.
Kerr, recovering from a knee reconstruction, was still unavailable as Sermanni named his squad for two games with Argentina at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne on May 30 and at GIO Stadium in Canberra on June 2.
Mackenzie Arnold and Sam Kerr during a friendly between the Matildas and South Korea in April.Credit: Getty Images
But Sermanni revealed the Matildas now had a London-based physiotherapist working closely with Kerr and her fitness staff at English giants Chelsea, whose season is due to finish after Sunday’s FA Women’s Cup final against Manchester United.
He said it was more likely that Kerr would skip any upcoming international windows and instead return for Chelsea’s pre-season.
“She’s tracking pretty well but she’s not quite ready yet to come in and play,” Sermanni said.
“From her situation, it’s a camp-by-camp scenario. For Chelsea now, they are at the end of their season, so they are looking for her to come back ready for pre-season and the start of next season.
Leah Davidson and Bryleeh Henry have been named in the Matildas squad.Credit: Photograph by Chris Hopkins
“We are constantly in communication and we have a physio in London and he’s doing a significant amount of work, in conjunction with Chelsea, with Sam. So we are regularly updated and keeping in touch.”
The Matildas and Chelsea have not yet discussed a potential return to the field with the Matildas for Kerr during the European off-season or whether they will want her to focus on having a full pre-season training load.
“It could be that, if, Sam says and Chelsea feels that she is ready then she can come back for the next [international] window, they could think it would be good for her to get some game time,” Sermanni said.
“If, on the other hand, they say take your time and get your preparation work done really well, so come the start of pre-season she’s ready to go – that’s probably a more likely scenario.”
Leah Davidson of Australia celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against Taiwan.Credit: Getty Images
Sermanni is keeping in contact with Kerr, who became a mum earlier this month when her partner Kristie Mewis gave birth to a baby boy named Jagger.
“She said it was all right, everything seemed to go well and they seemed to be happy,” Sermanni said.
“We will have to see if they are still saying that in 20 years’ time, but they seem to be happy and it all went smoothly.”
Sermanni also knows his interim stint, which began in September last year, could be coming to a close after these upcoming games. Victorian-raised coach Joe Montemurro has been strongly linked to the role once he finishes the season with Lyon in France.
Sermanni is due to coach the Matildas for the 150th time in this series.
“I’m definitely in this one … as of today,” Sermanni quipped.
Joe Montemurro is almost halfway through a two-year contract in France.Credit: Getty Images
“I will definitely be in this one and like all the windows I’ve done so far, what happens next I’m not sure.
“But I’m here until I’m required not to be here.”
Sermanni gave Montemurro a ringing endorsement as the next Matildas coach.
Montemurro will coach Lyon against Paris Saint-Germain in France’s Division One Feminine final on Saturday and then leave the role, freeing himself up for the Matildas.
“Oh terrible – he’s from Melbourne,” Sermanni joked.
“He would be fantastic for the job. He knows the players intimately, he’s coached at the highest level for a very long time.
“He’s been extraordinarily successful, so there’ll be no issue with Joe coming in and doing the job very, very well.”
The Matildas have named a mixed squad for the Argentina series with the likes of Ellie Carpenter and Katrina Gorry on personal leave and Mackenzie Arnold, Mary Fowler and midfielder Tameka Yallop out injured.
Isabel Gomez of the Mariners and Leah Davidson of Melbourne City compete for the ball during the A-Leagues women finals. They are both in the Matildas squad to face Argentina.Credit: Getty Images
Arsenal trio Steph Catley, Kyra Cooney-Cross and Caitlin Foord are due to play in the UEFA Women’s Champions League final against Barcelona on May 25, then fly directly home to link up with the squad.
“Hopefully, they stay fit and healthy and come home with a winner’s medal,” Sermanni said.
A number of rising Matildas players from the A-League and other international leagues have made the squad including Melbourne City duo Leah Davidson and Brylee Henry, who will first travel to Wuhan, China to play for their club in the Asian Champions League finals.
The Matildas always face a challenge against the gamesmanship of the South American sides and Argentina are expected to test out the side’s poise and patience.
“We just want to play our way, our Australian way, and we don’t adjust for anyone,” Davidson said.
Matildas squad to face Argentina: Morgan Aquino, Steph Catley (c), Kyra Cooney-Cross, Leah Davidson, Caitlin Foord, Isabel Gomez, Charlotte Grant, Winonah Heatley, Bryleeh Henry, Michelle Heyman, Clare Hunt, Alanna Kennedy, Kahli Johnson, Holly McNamara, Teagan Micah, Courtney Nevin, Natasha Prior, Jamilla Rankin, Amy Sayer, Kaitlyn Torpey, Emily van Egmond, Clare Wheeler, Jada Whyman.
News, results and expert analysis from the weekend of sport are sent every Monday. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.
