Sam Kerr’s health to play the Matildas’ glamor fixture towards England has been left shrouded in thriller after coach Tony Gustavsson refused to say whether or not his star striker is carrying an damage.
After Australia’s 1-Zero loss to Scotland at AFC Wimbledon’s Plow Lane dwelling on Friday, Gustavsson sounded uncomfortable when requested whether or not Kerr was truly injured.
“I can not touch upon that, so I will maintain that near my chest as of now – yeah, I will go on that one,” stated the Swede, who will want all of Kerr’s items in entrance of purpose to forestall his staff’s remaining abroad warm-ups earlier than July’s World Cup ending in defeats.
Kerr had burdened on Thursday how keen she was to play towards England for the primary time in her profession, and Gustavsson was not ruling out the prospect that she might get the possibility so as to add to her 62 worldwide targets in Tuesday’s eagerly-awaited match at Brentford .
“If I am guessing right this moment, I am guessing she shall be obtainable, however that is simply hypothesis,” stated Gustavsson, whose aspect shall be going through an England outfit who’ve not misplaced in 30 matches whereas additionally lifting the European title.
“So I want to speak to sports activities science and drugs workers and Sam herself, and see the place she’s at on Tuesday – however I do know she would like to play.”
The coach made it sound as if Kerr might even have been introduced on within the latter phases towards Scotland after her understudies had didn’t hit the goal in response to Nicola Docherty’s freakish, looping 47th minute strike.
“In fact, I’ve to confess it was a temptation to convey her on. It is itching in me, and itching in Sam, however we would agreed on an extended discuss final evening that the perfect factor for her was to relaxation this one towards Scotland,” stated Gustavsson.
“She’s coming off an especially powerful sport surroundings at Chelsea with back-to-back video games each week for nearly two months.
“It is in regards to the greater image. If it was me 15 years in the past as a younger inexperienced coach, considering that the short-term result’s what issues, I would in all probability have performed her and risked the large image.
“However now with a bit bit extra expertise, understanding there’s a greater image, I do not wish to win on the expense of sacrificing and risking key gamers’ well being.”
Earlier than Friday’s match, Kerr may very well be seen on the touchlines showing to be transferring a bit gingerly, with Chelsea undoubtedly determined that she just isn’t risked in any method forward of a number of key matches within the FA Cup and ladies’s Champions League semi-finals as in addition to the Ladies’s Tremendous League.
However with out the firepower of Kerr and the injured trio of Caitlin Foord, Emily Gielnik and Kyah Simon on Friday, the Matildas seemed brief on hanging high quality, other than a sharp-looking Cortnee Vine, who struck the bar with one shot and will have transformed one other.
“I believe the forwards did an amazing job on the defensive aspect; on the attacking aspect, we struggled to activate them nicely sufficient,” stated Gustavsson.
There was, nonetheless, loads of high quality on present from fullback Ellie Carpenter, again in an Australian shirt for the primary time in a 12 months after her ACL rupture.
“Ellie brings a variety of confidence and power to our staff and to our backline,” stated captain Clare Polkinghorne.
“She’s a really aggressive participant, likes to get ahead and he or she’s actually exhausting to deal with, so very nice to see her again and to have her again in camp. It is a large enhance for us.”
