Kerr gives Australia World Cup boost as England sweat over Walsh

It came as European champions England sweated on the fitness of key midfielder Keira Walsh after she was stretchered off in their win over Denmark with what looked like a serious knee injury. 

England coach Sarina Weigman is concerned over her star midfielder, but is unwilling to make assumptions until a diagnosis is received.

Prolific Chelsea striker Kerr, the face of the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, suffered a calf injury on the eve of the tournament and missed the Matildas' first two games.

The Australians, who were one of the favourites to win the title, squeezed past Ireland 1-0 thanks to a penalty to open their campaign but were then stunned 3-2 by Nigeria. That left their World Cup in serious peril and underlined just how much they missed their talismanic goalscorer.

With the critical encounter against Canada looming on Monday, the 29-year-old fronted the media in Brisbane to say: "I am going to be there, I am going to be ready." But Kerr declined to say how much of a part she will play in the clash in Melbourne.

"I would love to tell you guys everything but you know being in sport a long time that that's a massive thing that the opposition wants to know," Kerr said. "It is going to go down to the wire. I am definitely going to be available but how we decide to use that is not to be given to the opposition."

 

July 29, 2023