Ex-Matildas and Socceroos stars insist there is ‘no chance’ Sam Kerr starts vs Canada – as scenario in which superstar won’t play at all comes to light

Matildas great Amy Chapman and Socceroos legend Mark Schwarzer both believe that injured Aussie star Sam Kerr will start from the bench against Canada tonight – if she plays at all.

The Chelsea star and Matildas captain has missed the first two group games at the Women’s World Cup with a calf injury and is racing the clock to be fit for the third and final group stage match that will decide who advances to the knockout rounds.

In a worrying sign for Aussie fans, Kerr was spotted with her calf heavily strapped on game day, but the superstar forward assured fans on Saturday that she will play.

Kerr would not confirm if she would start or come off the bench and Chapman, who played with and against Kerr, said it was far more likely she would be an impact substitute if cleared to play my medics.  

Mystery continues to surround Matildas captain Sam Kerr and her calf injury, with ex-players saying it unlikely she will start against Canada tonight

Kerr spotted with bandaging on her troublesome calf on the day of the World Cup match against Canada that will determine if the Matildas reach the knockout stages

‘She’s only going to be a game-changer. She’s definitely not going to start, there’s no chance you can play 90 minutes on an injured calf,’ 20-capped ex-midfielder Chapman said.

‘Your only choice is to do the first 45 without her, then she can only come off the bench in the second half, depending on how the game goes.

‘Personally, having experienced calf injuries in my time, I know that you cannot play 90 minutes under fatigue, she just won’t survive. It’d be crazy.

‘Sam’s assets are best used on a tired opposition when the game opens up anyways, when both teams are pushing for something. So it would be a complete waste to risk her to do so much defensive running in the first half.’

Schwarzer, not notched up an incredible 109 caps for the Socceroos, agrees with Chapman and said the subterfuge was only designed to throw the Canadians off their game.

‘I hope I’m wrong, I hope we’re all wrong,’ he said on her predicted limited role on the pitch.

‘Going off how Tony Gustavsson spoke around if she trained or didn’t train with the team, obviously, it’s tactics, not wanting to reveal too much to the opposition.

‘But the fact that they didn’t want to lie, openly, but were also not going to answer the question directly – which is what happened – it paints a picture.’ 

Schwarzer has played for Australia more times than any other Socceroo and believes that Kerr will be held off against Canada before coming on as a substitute

Chapman marks up on Kerr during their time playing for Canberra and Perth in the Australian W-League

There is also the chance that Kerr might not play at all. 

Chapman and Schwarzer are confident that Kerr will not play a part at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium if the Matildas have a comfortable lead and have already secured a ticket out of the group stage. 

‘No, I don’t think they’ll bring her on if we’re a couple up,’ Schwarzer said.

‘If the game is under control, and if they can complete the task without bringing Sam on, I think they will.’

‘Ideally, they don’t have to use her at all,’ Chapman added.

‘But knowing that they could plonk her on just to pull out some sort of miracle in the last 15 minutes, she can only come off the bench for me, no chance she can start.’

Tune in to Optus Sport at 7pm AEST for the live coverage of Australia’s crucial do-or-die match against Canada.