Sam Kerr will be unavailable for Chelsea when they face Barcelona in the Women’s Champions League on Thursday night.
Chelsea boss Sonia Bompastor confirmed the news in a press conference ahead of the clash at Stamford Bridge.
The head coach also provided an update on Lauren James, at a time when several key players are already set to miss the mammoth European clash.
Why Sam Kerr will miss Chelsea vs Barcelona
Bompastor said that Kerr will miss Chelsea vs Barcelona on Thursday night, but is likely to be called up for international duty with Australia.
The striker started her first game for Chelsea since recovering from an ACL injury in last week’s 6-0 victory over St. Polten.
Bompastor was happy with Kerr’s performance, in which she scored a brace, but missed three big chances.
However, she then sat out the 1-1 draw with Liverpool in the Women’s Super League.
Despite the fact that Kerr is set to miss out on another huge match, Bompastor says the Australian is doing well and will miss the match due to game management.
Bompastor said: “She is fine. She will probably be going for international duty. She is being managed; it was part of the plan for her not to be involved in the last two games (Liverpool and Barcelona.”
Chelsea, though, were boosted by the return of Aggie Beever-Jones against Liverpool, with the England striker having a goal disallowed during the match.
Will Lauren James start against Barcelona?
There was some positive news for Chelsea, as Bompastor confirmed Lauren James is available to start the clash against Barcelona.
However, Bompastor still has a decision to make, as James is not yet ready to play the full 90 minutes.
So the Chelsea head coach will have to decide whether to start James or potentially use her as an impact substitute.
Her inclusion against Barcelona is despite being left out of the England squad.
Bompastor said: “We had a really good conversation with Sarina [Wiegman] and the staff, and we just felt maybe it was not the right timing, or a call-up was coming a little too soon for LJ. She is still in the process of getting fully fit. I think it was a good decision.”
Which other Chelsea players are unavailable for their clash with Barcelona?
Another big omission is Hannah Hampton, who has also been left out of the England squad.
Hampton, who has missed Chelsea’s last two games, will again be replaced by Swiss international Livia Peng.
Mayra Ramirez and Guru Reiten are also expected to miss the game.
