Doctor explains how Sam Kerr could still play for the Matildas at the Olympics

There is no chance injured Matildas captain Sam Kerr will able to play at the Paris Olympics after a horror ACL injury, but there is a still an outside chance she could help win the gold medal for her country.

Kerr's luckless run with injuries continued when she tore her anterior cruciate ligament at a training camp for her English Women's Super League club Chelsea.

The Matildas released a statement on Monday saying the striker ruptured the ligament, which will mean a nine to 12-month recovery period - and with the Olympics to kick off in six months, there is no chance of she makes a miracle return to the starting side.

'It's a nine to 12-month time frame but if she gets back earlier than that it's most unusual,' respected sports doctor Peter Larkins told News Corp.

'That [nine months] is the minimum, that's when people really do everything really well.

'The short answer is no [being ready for the Olympic Games]. Motivation is one thing, but you still cannot trick the body.'

However, there is a loophole.

While Kerr will not be able to blaze her way through the midfield with one of her trademark slashing runs at the Olympics, she could still play a major role.

After six months of rehabilitation, if Kerr is ahead of schedule and showing great signs of recovery, she may be able to line up to take penalty kicks.

The Matildas have not officially ruled her out of contention to compete at the Games, which begin on July 26.

Gustavsson took a big chance by saving a spot in his World Cup squad for another seriously injured player, Kyah Simon, in the hope she could return from the ACL rupture she suffered in October 2022.

'The best patients are up and running in a straight line after three months,' Larkins said.

'From three to six months you