by
Captain Sam Kerr was again reduced to a spectator’s role at Matildas training on Monday, while defender Alanna Kennedy wasn’t part of the main group for at least the opening stage of the session at the Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre.
Kerr’s left calf was strapped as she stood to the side of the field speaking to a member of the squad’s medical staff as her teammates prepared for Thursday’s Group B clash with Nigeria in Brisbane.
After watching the early stages of training, the star striker departed the training area.
Having already missed Australia’s opening match of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, last week’s 1-0 win over Ireland in Sydney, Kerr also won’t play at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday.
Matildas defender Charlotte Grant said: “Of course we want Sam out there, but she’s just going to give lots of energy to those girls that are playing her role.”
Elsewhere, Football Australia was forced to clarify comments from Kyra Cooney-Cross after the midfielder told reporters on Monday that Kerr had “tore her calf before the game”.
A Football Australia spokesperson told reporters Kerr had not torn her calf and that Cooney-Cross had mistakenly used the wrong terminology when discussing the injury.
Elsewhere Kennedy, who was a key part of Australia’s defence against the Irish, was on restricted duties on Monday as part of load management.
The Manchester City centre-back had been hampered by injuries before making a successful international return in Australia’s 1-0 tournament warm-up win over France on July 14 in Melbourne.
Her performance in that match ensured her selection against Ireland in the heart of Australia’s defence alongside Clare Hunt.
The Matildas, who lead Group B on three points, two more than Canada and Nigeria, can guarantee themselves a spot in the round of 16 with a game to spare by beating the Super Falcons on Thursday night.
