Bahrain Telegraph - Sam Kerr poised to return for Australia's Matildas

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Sam Kerr poised to return for Australia's Matildas
Sam Kerr poised to return for Australia's Matildas / Photo: © AFP

Sam Kerr poised to return for Australia's Matildas

Sam Kerr is poised to return to international football following a lengthy injury layoff after she was named Friday in Australia's squad to take on Wales and England.

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But there was no indication whether the Chelsea striker -- who has not played for the Matildas in almost two years -- would again be handed the captain's armband.

Matildas coach Joe Montemurro said the 32-year-old's "leadership and presence" were invaluable to the side.

"Having Sam back in the squad is a special moment -- not just for the team, but for Australian football."

Kerr returned to club football for Chelsea in September -- her first match since picking up a serious knee injury in December 2023.

She was found in February not guilty of racially aggravated abuse after calling a British police officer "stupid and white" following a drunken night out.

The Matildas have typically been captained by Arsenal defender Steph Catley in Kerr's absence.

Manchester City midfielder Mary Fowler was not selected after rupturing a ligament in her knee this year.

Australia play Wales in Cardiff on October 25 before facing England in Derby on October 28.

K.al-Ansari--BT