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Captain Sam Kerr declared herself available on Saturday for Australia's must-win clash with Olympic champions Canada in a major boost for the Women's World Cupco-hosts.
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.
Prolific Chelseastriker 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 WorldCup in serious peril and underlined just how much they missed their talismanic goalscorer.
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FootballWith 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.»
Walsh fearsThe 26-year-old Barcelona midfielder Walsh appeared to suffer a serious knee injury against Denmark on Friday.
There has been a spate of knee injuries in women's football and England were already missing captain Leah
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