Matildas fans have received official confirmation that Sam Kerr will not be playing at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Five months after her devastating ACL injury, head coach of the Matildas Tony Gustavsson confirmed his squad of 23 for upcoming friendly matches against China in the coming weeks.
Kerr was not included in the squad, with a statement from Football Australia confirming she “will not be available for selection for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games”.
Gustavvson said fans can “do the math” to realise Kerr cannot be available to play, as she recovers from an injury that can take at least 12 months for athletes to recover from.
“I think everyone can do the math here and understand that obviously the Olympic roster will be based mostly out of those that are in this upcoming May/June camp,” Gustavsson said.
Football Australia said Kerr will continue her rehabilitation with her club Chelsea FC, who just won their fifth premiership title in a row in the Women’s Premier League over the weekend.
Who will play in Paris?
It’s been a tough time for the Matildas, with several key players recovering from various injuries. However, Gustavsson said Katrina Gorry, who has been out with an ankle injury, and Aivi Luik, who suffered a hamstring injury, could return in time for the Olympics and be available for the roster.
The Matildas manager said the coaching staff will use the two games against China on May 31 in Adelaide and June 3 in Sydney to assess who will be fit to be on the Olympics roster.
“This window will be a tough one for me and my staff in terms of evaluating players, where they are, and then the final selection process for Paris,” Gustavsson said.
“We want to use this camp to summarise the evolved playing style we have built upon in the last couple of months. To go back to what we did at last year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup and the core things we did well there and then add the layers we have worked on since.
“Then we will see if we can get more of a complete overview of where we are positioned, work on nuances and details and get some answers of where are we and what do we need to keep working on come the Olympics.”
All but two players in the squad for the upcoming friendlies were selected in the squad that qualified the Matildas for the Olympic Games in February this year.
“The squad we have named for this upcoming series against China PR is based on their performances for their respective clubs and also in our national team environment,” Gustavsson said.
“Some players are selected based on past performances, in tournaments and in previous camps, while others are chosen for their current strong form.”
The friendlies are the final matches before the Matildas begin preparations for the Olympics.
Here is the full squad for the Matildas’ matches against China:
Goalkeepers
- Mackenzie Arnold
- Teagan Micah
- Jada Whyman
- Lydia Williams
Defenders
- Ellie Carpenter
- Steph Catley
- Charli Grant
- Winonah Heatlet
- Clare Hunt
- Alanna Kennedy
- Courtney Nevin
- Clare Polkinghorne
- Kaitlyn Torpey
Midfielders
- Kyra Cooney-Cross
- Emily van Egmond
- Clare Wheeler
- Tameka Yallop
Forwards
- Caitlin Foord
- Mary Fowler
- Sharn Freier
- Michelle Heyman
- Hayley Raso
- Cortnee Vine