Sam Kerr out for friendlies against Olympic champions Canada as injury woes continue

Matildas captain Sam Kerr will miss the two friendly matches against Olympic champions Canada due to a foot injury.

The star striker will remain in London to have treatment with her place in the squad taken by midfielder Sarah Hunter, the 20-year-old earning her first senior national team call-up.

It continues a frustrating run of injuries for the Perth born striker who saw her World Cup campaign limited by a double calf injury and limited her pitch time at Chelsea in the WSL.

Kerr had just started to hit top form played on Monday, scoring a first-half goal in their 5-2 WSL win over Leicester City before being replaced in the 81st minute.

She also scored a hat-trick in last week’s 4-1 Champions League win over Paris FC.

The news comes a day after it was confirmed Charlotte Grant (hamstring), Holly McNamara (knee), Courtnee Vine (hamstring) and World Cup hero goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold would also miss the Canada games.

Arnold, who is captain of West Ham United in the English Women’s Super League, was ruled out with an arm injury.

Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson has summoned Sydney FC’s Jada Whyman into the squad as one of three goalkeepers along with Lydia Williams and Teagan Micah.

Gustavsson has also called up attacker Remy Siemsen and midfielder Alex Chidiac to join the 23-strong squad ahead of Friday’s friendly in Langford and game two in Vancouver.

It comes amid allegations Gustavsson met with the Swedish Football Association and is one of three candidates for the vacant men’s team coach.

In a statement released by Football Australia, Gustavsson stressed his commitment to the Matildas but didn’t directly address the Swedish report.

Hunter is a former Young Matildas U20 Women’s World Cup captain who currently plays with the top-flight French club.

Australia will take on Canada from 2.30am (AEDT) in Langford on Saturday before a second clash on December 6 in Vancouver.