Injured Kerr to miss Matildas’ matches against Canada

The Matildas will be without captain Sam Kerr for their two international friendly matches against Olympic champions Canada.

The star striker’s club Chelsea announced on Tuesday morning (AEDT) that Kerr will remain in London to have treatment on a foot injury.

The news comes a day after Football Australia said Charli Grant, Holly McNamara and Women’s World Cup hero Mackenzie Arnold would also miss the Canada trip.

Arnold, who is captain and goalkeeper for West Ham in the English Women’s Super League, has been sidelined after she suffered an arm injury.

West Ham took to their social media on Monday morning (AEDT) to announce Arnold’s injury.

“We can confirm that Mackenzie Arnold has withdrawn from Australia’s upcoming international squad due to injury,” the post said.

Sam Kerr will miss the Matildas’ two upcoming friendlies against Canada.

“Arnold sustained the injury in training on Saturday and will work with our medical team throughout the international break on her rehabilitation.”

Kerr scored a hat-trick in last week’s 4-1 Champions League win over Paris FC before being substituted in the 81st minute of the 5-2 WSL victory over Leicester City, having again found the back of the net shortly before half-time. Paris midfielder Sarah Hunter will replace Kerr in the Australian squad, her first senior call-up for the national side.

Coach Tony Gustavsson named forward Remy Siemsen, midfielder Alex Chidiac and goalkeeper Jada Whyman to replace the previously injured trio in the 23-player squad.

The Matildas play their first match against Canada on Saturday afternoon (AEDT) in Langford before travelling to Vancouver for another match on Wednesday.

Penalty shootout hero Mackenzie Arnold will also miss the trip to Canada.

Gustavsson’s side thrashed Canada 4-0 during the recent World Cup to guarantee their passage to the knockout stages of their home tournament, having entered the match no certainties to do so after a shock loss to Nigeria.

Kerr played no part in either of those matches. The then-29-year-old was a shock withdrawal from Australia’s opening match against Ireland and didn’t take the field until the round-of-16 win over Denmark.

She has almost three months to recover before the Matildas’ next competitive matches – a two-legged qualifying play-off for Paris 2024 against Uzbekistan.

WSL leaders Chelsea next face second-placed Arsenal – featuring Matildas trio Steph Catley, Caitlin Foord and Kyra Cooney-Cross – in a blockbuster London derby on December 10.

McNamara, meanwhile, withdrew from the Matildas squad last Tuesday after scans confirmed the 20-year-old Melbourne City FC player had ruptured her anterior crucial ligament (ACL) in her team’s round five game against the Newcastle Jets.

It’s McNamara’s third ACL tear in six years.

“This one’s really hard to put into words,” McNamara said on Instagram. “So grateful for all of the support and love, I’ll be back soon.”

Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson said McNamara’s latest injury was heartbreaking.

“With the enormous hard work and resilience Holly has shown over the past 18 months, this latest injury news is devastating to hear,” Gustavsson said. “Holly has been a true professional in her journey back to earn a recall to the national team and that is a testament to her character.”

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