Sam Kerr takes massive step on her road to return following horror ACL injury – as Matildas star jets back to Europe

Sam Kerr has surprised Chelsea fans after she was pictured back in training on Sunday afternoon, having travelled with Sonia Bompastor’s squad to a warm-weather training camp in Portugal.

The Matildas star ruptured her ACL in January last year and underwent knee surgery on the issue while she was back in England.

Kerr, 31, who missed the remainder of the WSL season, is not expected back in action until February or March but was pictured running through several drills while taking shots on goal. 

It is, though, understood that the Aussie striker is not yet training with the rest of the Chelsea team, with US star Mia Fishel also recovering from an ACL tear.

Kerr was also pictured pictured enjoying a trip to the beach with her teammates during the training camp.

The Chelsea star has also been through a particularly difficult few weeks after learning that her grandmother had been struck by a car. The incident occurred after Coral, 89, was getting off a bus near to her home in Perth.

Kerr flew to Portugal to meet up with the rest of her team-mates, having spent the festive period in Australia

Kerr enjoyed enjoyed a trip to the beach with her team-mates, and appeared to move well as she ran up and down the pitch with the football during training 

The driver had mounted his ute on the curb while trying to overtake a bus.

Her grandmother, Coral, 89, was taken to the Royal Perth Hospital having suffered multiple broken limbs and a concussion.

Kerr and her dad, Roger, had been in New South Wales celebrating the marriage of her Matildas team-mate Emily Van Egmond when they learned Kerr’s grandmother had been involved in the incident.

Van Egmond had married her long-term partner Kat Thompson at a vineyard in New South Wales. 

Kerr and her dad had subsequently flewn back to Perth to be with her grandmother.

Kerr had attended the wedding with her partner and West Ham star Kristie Mewis, who recently announced she was having a baby.

The pair, who got engaged last year, have been dating since around 2020, with Kerr flying back to their home this week.

While the Chelsea forward is reluctant to return to training until she is fully fit, her recent progress will no doubt please Matildas’ coach Tom Sermanni.

Kerr, 31, took to Instagram to post a story which featured her fiancée Kristie Mewis as well as the couple’s cat (pictured) back at their home 

The Australia national side’s boss had revealed his concerns that Kerr could be out for longer than anticipated after she had suffered a setback in training. 

Australia are next in action at the SheBelieves Cup at the end of February.

They’ll take on Japan, USA and Colombia in the group stages, but that tournament may just come a touch too early for Kerr, with the first group stage match coming on February 21.

Chelsea, meanwhile, are top of the Women’s Super League having won nine of their league matches this season.