'Hopefully yes': Twist in injury return timeline for Sam Kerr as Chelsea comments on superstar's bid

Matildas superstar Sam Kerr will "hopefully" return for Chelsea this season but whether she will is "difficult" to predict, says team manager Sonia Bompastor.

Kerr has been sidelined for more than 12 months due to an ACL rupture suffered during a Chelsea training session in January 2024.

The 31-year-old has been pushing to return for several months, either with the Matildas or Chelsea, but has stalled repeatedly in her rehabilitation.

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The Blues were eliminated from the Champions League by Barcelona this week but have three Super League games remaining this season, as well as a clash with Manchester United in the FA Cup final.

"She's working really hard," Bompastor said.

"All the performance staff are doing everything for her to play this season. We'll see how it goes.

"We know we only have a few games left now. Hopefully yes, but it's difficult for me to have a clear answer."

In February, Kerr put a tumultuous period in her life behind her when she was found not guilty of the racially aggravated harassment of a British police officer.

Football Australia faced calls from respected figures, including Socceroos great Robbie Slater, to bar Kerr from captaining the Matildas again due to her controversial behaviour on the night out in question.

But the governing body said the events "warranted no further action", declared the case "closed" and lauded Kerr as a role model.

During the Matildas' match against South Korea at Allianz Stadium on April 4, which Kerr watched from the sideline, the embattled superstar was received warmly by a crowd of 37,000.

Chelsea will face Manchester United, Tottenham and Liverpool in the remaining matches of its Super League season.