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The Matildas expect Charlotte Grant to be available for their FIFA Women’s World Cup round-of-16 clash with Denmark on Monday despite the defender being the third member of the squad to suffer concussion during the tournament.
As Grant watched on from the side of the training field at the Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre on Friday, Matildas captain Sam Kerr spent time on an exercise bike as she continued her bid to overcome a calf injury in time for next week’s do-or-die battle at Stadium Australia.
Grant was involved in a heavy clash after coming on for her World Cup debut in the dying stages of Australia’s 4-0 win over Canada last Monday night in Melbourne.
Concussion symptoms have since emerged, however a Matildas spokeswoman said Grant would be available for selection against the Danes as she would have met the necessary concussion protocols. A team statement today said Grant has “fully recovered” and is “on track to be available” against Denmark as she goes through the return to play protocols.
Matildas defender Alanna Kennedy said: “The knock that she that she copped in the game wasn’t nice to see but I think she’s in a good spot.”
Grant is the third Matildas player to suffer from concussion during the tournament, with Mary Fowler and Aivi Luik having been concussed on the training paddock last week.
The team statement declared that Luik has completed the return to play protocols and will be available for selection against Denmark.
Matildas star Hayley Raso said the squad’s medical staff had been extremely vigilant in its dealings with Grant, Fowler and Luik.
“For any head knock that’s taken, you have to be really cautious,” Raso said.
“In the grand scheme of things, football doesn’t really matter. You need to look after your health.
“We’ve been very cautious with a couple of the girls who have taken head knocks, which I think is really important.
“Our doctor and our medical staff will make sure all the girls are 100 per cent and OK before they step back out on to the field and I think that’s the most important thing.”
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Kerr, who is yet to play in the tournament, wasn’t expected to join the rest of the squad for the regular session as part of her separate training program.
“She was available last game, so she’s still progressing well with her rehab so she’ll be available for this game (against Denmark) as well, but whoever’s called upon will be able to do a job,” Raso said.
“We’ve got a really strong team, (and) we’ve got depth. The players starting, hopefully they can do the job, but those who come on too will be able to finish it off for us as well.”
Matildas defender Clare Polkinghorne said Kerr had been “superb” through it all.
“She always puts the team before herself, so right from the beginning, she‘s been our biggest supporter and always helping out where she can,” Polkinghorne said of her skipper.
“While she hasn‘t been able to help on the field yet, she’s definitely still a massive part of this team and it has definitely helped us get to where we are.
“We’re really looking forward to having her back.”
Midfielder Cortnee Vine also wasn’t training with the main squad on Friday, instead running laps of the field as part of her load management.
