The Matildas may have been on international break during a difficult week but there was some positive news with Sam Kerr “progressing really well” as her return looms closer.

Kerr hasn’t played since December 2023 due to an ACL injury but is starting to get closer to a return at club level with Chelsea.

Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor told reporters: “Sam is progressing really well and she’s returning back to her level.

“It’s always difficult to put a timeframe on her return but actually I’m really happy with what I saw the last two weeks.

“I think she’s in a really good place.”

Kerr was back in training with the Blues during their early January training camp but this seems a more major step towards a competitive return.

It’s been a slow ACL recovery for Kerr, who also recently has been in the news for the wrong reasons with a drawn-out court case where she was cleared of a charge of racially aggravated harassment against a police officer.

The Matildas this week suffered disappointing losses to Japan (4-0), USA (2-1) and Colombia (2-1) at the SheBelieves Cup.