There has been plenty of speculation over Sam Kerr’s calf injury, but not a lot of solid information in recent days. But one of her Australia teammates may have inadvertently given a major update on the star forward.
Kerr was ruled out of both the Matildas’ World Cup opener — an unconvincing 1-0 win over Ireland — and their second game against Nigeria after she suffered a calf issue in training the day before the Ireland game.
Australia’s FA said Kerr would be reevaluated ahead of the team’s final group match, which will come on Monday against Canada.
The Australian public has been clamoring for any information on Kerr, one of the world’s best strikers and an absolutely vital player if the Matildas are to have any hope of a deep World Cup run on home soil.
At a press conference, midfielder Kyra Cooney-Cross provided an update that set off panic among some Australia fans.
“It’s unfortunate that Sam tore her calf before the game,” Cooney-Cross said.
“But as a team we’re just focusing on Nigeria and Sam’s doing her own thing to get back as quick as possible and that’s also important,” she added.
Needless to say, no Australia official had gone as far as saying that Kerr had torn her calf, and the Aussie federation quickly tried to clean up what Cooney-Cross said.
“An FA spokesperson denied Kerr had torn her calf but would not confirm the extent of the injury or a timeline for her return,” an ABC News story said.
“The spokesperson indicated Cooney-Cross was speaking colloquially and had mistakenly used the wrong phrase.”
Kerr’s status was already worrying even before the comment from Cooney-Cross. It’s never a good sign when a player is ruled out of a game a full week in advance, as Kerr was for Australia’s second game against Nigeria.
Now there will be even more nerves over the 29-year-old, who at least one Matildas player is still confident will see the field this World Cup.
“We’ll need [Kerr] in the back end of this tournament,” midfielder Katrina Gorry told reporters on Monday.
“As long as she’s staying on her plan, then we’ll stay on ours and we’ll get her there.”
[lawrence-related id=21229,23410,23559]