Matildas fans split over whether Sam Kerr should be rushed back for Canada game

Australia's Women's World Cup hopes could rest on the shoulders of superstar Sam Kerr, but her injured calf has fans divided on whether the Matildas should risk their captain in a do-or-die clash against Canada.

The Chelsea star was one of the favourites to score the most goals at the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand but has failed to line up in the opening matches against Republic of Ireland and Nigeria.

Thursday night's loss to the Nigerians mean that Australia now might have the luxury of resting Kerr, with some fans calling for her to play - even if it is on one leg.

If Australia cannot beat Canada, they will face a nervous wait to see if they advance beyond the group stage depending on other results. A loss would end their World Cup.

Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson recognises the gravity of the situation and will give Kerr until game day to prove her fitness and take per place in the team.

'All I can say now is that I hope so [that she'll be ready to play],' he said.

'I know it's going to be tight. I said in a press conference yesterday … I most likely will not get the confirmation on that until the night before the game. And then we'll go from there.

'It might even be (the case) where we need to test her to see if she can play on game day. 'That's how tight it is, I know that, I can say already now so everyone knows what it's like.

'I know we're going to get questions from now all the way to the game, but I can say already now I'm not going to be able to tell you that until either the night before the game or on game day, because that's how long we'll have to wait to see if she's available or not.'

It has raised the question over whether Australia should play Kerr even if she does not 100 per cent pass her fitness