Sam Kerr backed to make impact against England and Wales as she returns to the Australia squad | OneFootball

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Australia striker Sam Kerr has been backed by her coach Joe Montemurro to make an impact on her return in their upcoming friendlies against Wales and England.

The Chelsea striker has received her first call-up in nearly two years following her lengthy absence with an ACL injury.

Australia face Wales at the Cardiff City Stadium on October 25th, before facing England three days later at Pride Park Stadium in Derby.

Joe Montemurro confident Sam Kerr will shine for Australia

Australia head coach Joe Montemurro believes Sam Kerr can make an immediate impact on her return to the Matildas squad.

Montemurro wasted no time in giving Kerr her first call-up to the Australia squad in two years, following her return to football last month.

He is confident Kerr can make an impact in the upcoming friendlies with Wales and England.

Montemurro said: “We all talk about strikers and the importance of them. We know Sam’s one of the best in the world. I’ve borne the brunt of it many, many times at Arsenal, where she killed me that many times.

“So, I’m looking forward to finally … her being on our side, which is really good fun. But she’s obviously impactful and really, really important.”

He added: “I just want Sam to come back, love her football, and it’ll take shape according to the way things will go.”

When did Sam Kerr last play for Australia?

Sam Kerr last played for Australia on November 1st, 2023. She scored her 69th and last goal for her country to date in a 3-0 AFC Women’s Olympic qualifying match against Chinese Taipei.

She tore her ACL just two months later during a mid-season training camp with Chelsea in Morocco. This resulted in her missing the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Should Kerr play against Wales on October 25th, it will be her first appearance in an Australia shirt in 724 days.

How has Kerr performed since her return to football?

Sam Kerr reached a new milestone with her 100th goal for Chelsea on her return to action against Aston Villa last month.

However, her game time since then has been limited as she has come off the bench in each of Chelsea’s last six games.

While Chelsea boss Sonia Bompastor is giving Kerr a phased return back to action, it is not certain whether Montemurro will take the same approach.

Montemurro will be keen to get Kerr back into regular first-team action ahead of the Asian Cup in March.