'Million dollar question' - Sam Kerr reveals injury plan ahead of England semi-final
Chelsea striker Sam Kerr has outlined Australia's plan for her calf injury, claiming the aim was always to be ready for the World Cup semi-finals and final.
The Matildas star picked up a calf problem on the eve of this summer's tournament last month and missed all three of their group games against the Republic of Ireland, Canada and Nigeria. She has since made substitute appearances in their knockout games against Denmark and France.
In the quarter-final clash against Les Bleus on Saturday, Kerr was brought on in the 55th minute, but she played 65 minutes in total as he game went to extra time and penalties. The 29-year-old scored her spot-kick as the Matildas beat France 7-6 in the shootout to progress to the last four and line up a mouthwatering tie against England's Lionesses.
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Post-match, both Kerr and manager Tony Gustavsson remained coy on what that meant for her chances of starting the semi-final. «I mean, that's like the million dollar question, right?» she told reporters.
«But with everything that's been going on, the best thing for today was the plan we did and the plan we followed and when I hurt my calf, the plan was to always to be ready for semi-final time.
»So, I could have started but who knows what could have happened? The girls have been smashing it and absolutely dominating, so I think the plan went pretty well."
Gustavsson added: «It was a massive decision before the game to leave her on the bench. Then it was about the timing. You want the timing right.
»I was informed that she had limited minutes today. Then we
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