Sam Kerr has quashed a rumour about her return to football, with the Matildas superstar indicating that she is not in any rush to return to the field from her ACL injury.
The 30-year-old Chelsea striker ruptured her ACL while on a training camp in Morocco in early January and is still on the sidelines just days before the new Women's Super League season kicks off.
Typically, it takes six to nine months to recover from a torn ACL - but professional athletes often take longer to get their strength and fitness back up to speed.
Kerr, who has injured her ACL twice, is under no pressure to prove herself on the pitch.
On Sunday, Kerr responded to a post online suggesting that she would be fit by October, writing: 'I don't know who gave you this info but sadly it's wrong.'
The Matildas skipper wouldn't answer any more questions on her recovery but did do a recent interview with Optus Sport.
'The injury is good,' Kerr said.
'I'm not putting a date on my return, just making sure I get it right and making sure I feel good before I get back on the pitch.
Sam Kerr says she's in no rush to get back on the football pitch after her ACL injury
Kerr (pictured with fiancee Kristie Mewis) says she won't be returning in October
'I mean, it's my second ACL, so I know you need to take the time, you need to make sure it's right and I'm doing everything I can.
'But there's definitely no rush for me, I want to make sure I can play for many more years to come.'
Kerr said it has been a struggle watching on as Chelsea claimed their fifth straight WSL title and the Matildascrashed out of the World Cup early.
'You always want to be out there, it's always a shame when you miss out on games, obviously, end of the season and then definitely the Olympics,' Kerr said.
The Chelsea striker ruptured her ACL while on a training camp in Morocco in early January
'It's been really tough not to be able to have some sort of impact on the games, the league or the Olympics. But I kind of knew that was coming, to be honest, so it's been tough, but it's part of sport.'
Away from football, Kerr stands accused of allegedly racially harassing a police officer during a boozy night out in London in January of 2023.
The Mail exclusively revealed the 30-year-old was charged and entered a not guilty plea on March 4 this year, with a four-day criminal trial set for February 2025.
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson confirmed that the incident, which took place on January 30, 2023, was sparked by a dispute over a taxi fare before Kerr allegedly used insulting, threatening or abusive words that caused alarm or distress to the officer.