Sam Kerr keen to regain Matildas captaincy on highly anticipated return

Australias all time leading goalscorer Sam Kerr has promised to take back the national team captaincy, affirming she has a great deal more to offer in that leadership position.

Kerr is scheduled to feature for the Matildas for the first time in close to two years when they take on Wales in Cardiff this coming weekend.

The 32 year old made her club comeback with Chelsea in September following a prolonged recovery from a severe knee injury incurred back in December 2023.

In her time away from the pitch, she endured a much publicised legal battle in London, emerging not guilty on counts of racially aggravated harassment towards a police officer linked to an alcohol fuelled evening incident.

Nonetheless, the presiding judge remarked that her actions substantially influenced the initiation of the charge.

Kerr assumed the captaincy duties in 2019, a role that Arsenal defender Steph Catley has largely filled in her absence due to injury.

I remain deeply passionate about the captaincy she explained to Australian reporters while based in Wales.

I am confident I can contribute far more to this squad in terms of leadership and the coaching staff will determine the teams direction. From a football perspective, I rank among the top leaders within the group.

I take immense pride in my prior experience in that capacity and look forward to building on it.

Head coach Joe Montemurro is still deliberating over the choice of captain for the match against Wales. Kerr Australias record breaking forward is not anticipated to complete the full 90 minutes.

She has seen only modest playing time with Chelsea upon her return yet she looks ahead to achieving full match readiness in the near future. The upcoming Womens Asian Cup on home soil in March stands as a primary driving force.

The Asian Cup is tremendously vital she commented. My triumph in it back in 2010 occurred during my teenage years at just 16 so I scarcely appreciated its true essence at the time.

Reflecting now I realise I was chasing my aspirations without fully grasping it. Securing the trophy once more would fulfil an enduring ambition.