Sam Kerr Could Start for Matildas Against Nigeria in Adelaide on Tuesday

Sam Kerr's getting some game time. She played the first half for Australia against New Zealand, getting 45 minutes on the clock

Matildas captain Sam Kerr faces fitness test for NZ friendly. Kerr edges nearer to harm return in closing Matildas pleasant vs New Zealand.

“She's training with us, she's been in the last two camps...”

Sam Kerr's been on the bench with a calf complaint, but she's got a chance to play on home soil for the first time in two years. The Matildas captain was expected to get some minutes against New Zealand on Friday, but she didn't make the starting lineup and wasn't subbed in.

Kerr's been working hard to get back from her injury, and now she's looking to make her return in Adelaide. The Matildas thrashed New Zealand 2-0 on Friday, but Kerr's focus is on getting herself ready to play for her country again.

Kerr's been training well and is expected to be back in the starting lineup for Tuesday's match. If she does start, it'll be her first game on home soil since 2022, and fans are buzzing about the prospect of seeing her in action.

The Matildas are looking to give Sam Kerr some much-needed international minutes in their final game of 2025, and it's a great opportunity for her to get some match fitness ahead of the AFC Asian Women's Cup next year. Kerr's been working hard to recover from a knee injury, and coach Joe Montemurro's giving her a chance to get some game time against the Young Matildas on Tuesday night.

Montemurro confirmed that Kerr's in line to play at Coopers Stadium, saying she's a chance to feature in some capacity. It's a carefully managed rehab for Kerr, and the coach is taking it one step at a time. “She's got a chance of playing,” Montemurro said, hinting at a possible return to action.

“She is in the mix at the moment,” Montemurro explained.

“She's training with us, she's been in the last two camps. 

“We're looking at a lot of different scenarios leading into a tournament. Sam is a component of that like every other player. 

“She's tracking well, growing at Chelsea with match minutes and is integrating well here.

“She's been ticking boxes ever since she's returned. Like every player, we assess where they're at and ask how they're feeling because they know their bodies better. We manage every player accordingly.”

Joe Montemurro's looking to try out some new tactical combinations in Tuesday's match against New Zealand, as he fine-tunes his team for the Asian Cup campaign. The Matildas coach is keen to experiment and see what works best, giving him a chance to assess his players and make some decisions ahead of the big tournament.

“We've been building an idea of football because we believe it's what we need to go ahead as an elite national team,” Montemurro said.

“Do we need some more continuity? Absolutely.

“Finding that continuity once they all go away tomorrow night might be difficult, but we saw a good base the other night.

“There are a couple of things I need to see tactically - to tick the boxes, so to speak - that will give me all the ammunition I need to be ready for the Asian Cup. 

“There are a few tactical combinations I want to see tonight so, yes, there could be some changes.”

Another 45 minutes in the bank for Sam Kerr. ⏰👏

Sammy K played the first-half for Australia against New Zealand. 🇦🇺 pic.twitter.com/7AHLegF05U

— Chelsea FC Women (@ChelseaFCW) December 2, 2025

Joe Montemurro's throwing his full support behind Alen Stajcic's passionate plea for unity in Australian football. “I back him one hundred percent,” Montemurro said, showing solidarity with his fellow coach. He understands the passion and emotion that comes with leading a team, and he's all for Stajcic's call to bring the football community together.

“I've said this from day one: I think sometimes we put ourselves down for no reason,” Montemurro explained.

“We think we're so far behind and we seem to have this inferiority complex with the rest of the world in football. 

“We've got players and coaches at top clubs around the world, so we must be doing something right, and we should be celebrating that and using it as a platform to grow. 

“Unity is the key to working out our next step as federations and where we can take it forward. The game is at a point where it can really grow. 

“I hope that everybody unites for the betterment of the game because it's at a very, very good point.”