Sam Kerr set to return to top torm

Former Chelsea manager Emma Hayes has expressed confidence that Sam Kerr will return to her best once she resumes playing. Kerr has been sidelined since tearing her anterior cruciate ligament in January last year during a Chelsea training session. Hayes, now coaching the US national team, praised Kerr’s resilience, emphasizing that the star forward has the potential to reach new heights.

Kerr’s injury layoff coincided with a legal case in which she was found not guilty of racially aggravated harassment. Meanwhile, the Matildas continue to struggle in the SheBelieves Cup, suffering a 4-0 defeat to Japan and a 2-1 loss to the US. Hayes acknowledged Australia’s fighting spirit, stating that the team showed resilience after their early setbacks.

As Kerr prepares for her return, questions remain over whether she will reclaim the Matildas’ captaincy. In a social media statement after her legal case, Kerr reassured fans that her focus is solely on football. “I am fully focused on getting back on the pitch and looking forward to an exciting year ahead for me and my family,” she wrote.