Sam Kerr ruled out of Australia's Olympics squad and denied chance of Emma Hayes reunion
Chelsea striker Sam Kerr has been ruled out of the summer Olympics with Australia, marking the second summer in a row that the forward will see a major tournament blighted by injury.
Kerr was forced to miss most of last summer's Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand after suffering an injury on the eve of the tournament. The 30-year-old returned in time to face England in the semi-finals, scoring a sensational goal in the process but it was ultimately consolation in the 3-1 defeat.
Having returned to full fitness, Kerr helped her nation to Olympic qualification for this summer's games in Paris but sustained an anterior cruciate ligament injury during a Chelsea training camp in January, placing her into an unlikely race against time to return to fitness before the start of the tournament in July, just seven months later.
Kerr's ACL injury marked the latest example of a elite-level women's footballer succumbing to the injury.
Last summer's Women's World Cup was notable for its high-profile absentees, including Arsenal and England defender Leah Williamson and Netherlands' Vivianne Miedema.
And announcing a squad for Australia's pre-Olympics friendlies, Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson said Kerr would not return in time for the Games. Kerr, arguably Australia's biggest sporting idol, is the nation's all-time record goalscorer.
The injury also rules out any potential reunion with former Chelsea boss Emma Hayes. Hayes departed the Blues after 12 years at the helm of the club to take over as the new head coach of the USWNT.
Sam Kerr poses with Emma Hayes after winning the title
Both the USA and Australia will participate in the Games, with Hayes taking on her very first major tournament with the team.
Chelsea claimed a last Women's Super League title with Hayes in her final season in a dramatic league finale last weekend. Their 6-0 win over Manchester United ensured that they lifted a seventh league title under Hayes' reign, pipping Manchester City to the title on goal difference and extending their grip on the league title to an unprecedented five years.
Kerr was spotted celebrating each goal wildly in the directors' box at Old Trafford, much to the glee of Chelsea fans. Kerr also joined her teammates on the pitch for the post-match celebrations.
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