Who will replace Australia's Sam Kerr at the Paris Olympics? Top candidates to step in for Matildas captain

The Matildas continue preparing for the Paris Olympics without captain and superstar Sam Kerr, who is currently out with a long-term injury.

Despite a glimmer of hope she would pull off a miracle recovery after picking up her injury in December, her absence was confirmed when coach Tony Gustavsson didn't name her in the friendlies against China, which act as a final dress rehearsal for the Paris games.

While it's a blow to the Matildas' chances of medalling for the first time, there is still an abundance of quality at Gustavsson's disposal as he looks to fill the void left by Kerr.

The Sporting News analyses who is best placed to start in Paris instead of Australia's captain.

MORE: Matildas predicted Olympics lineup | Is the Matildas Olympics campaign over before it began?

What is Sam Kerr's injury?

Sam Kerr ruptured her ACL in a warm weather training camp in January with her club side Chelsea, with the club announcing she would miss the rest of the season.

Chelsea Football Club can confirm striker Sam Kerr has sustained an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury during our warm weather training camp in Morocco.

— Chelsea FC Women (@ChelseaFCW) January 7, 2024

It was a bitter blow for Kerr, who had injury troubles severely disrupt her World Cup campaign, where she missed the entire group stage, and only started twice as Australia finished in fourth place on home soil.

While the recovery timeframe differs depending on the severity of the injury, a rupture of the ACL usually sees players miss at least eight months, meaning Kerr was practically instantly out of contention for the Olympics.

Kerr joined a long list of prominent female footballers to suffer a serious knee injury, highlighting calls to better protect women's players and to put measures in place to reduce the risk of serious injury.

Who will replace Sam Kerr at the Olympics?

The Matildas are weaker without Kerr, but they are also lucky to have a talented cast ready to pick up the slack left by Kerr's absence, with Steph Catley set to take over as captain, and the likes of Caitlin Foord, Hayley Raso and Mary Fowler also stars in their own right.

Yet those players are in the starting lineup regardless if Kerr is fit or not – so who will take her place in the starting 11 in the first group match of the Olympics?

Cortnee Vine

A lesser known player compared to her superstar teammates before the World Cup, Cortnee Vine became a household name overnight after she scored the winning penalty in the shootout against France, sending Australia into delirium.

Almost the entire plane watched Cortnee Vine score the penalty to send Australia to their first-ever World Cup semi-final 🇦🇺

The person watching Lord of the Rings must have been so confused 😅 pic.twitter.com/RevzvTdwwH

— Mail Sport (@MailSport) August 14, 2023

She has a history of replacing Sam Kerr, as she started the first two games at the World Cup, before a tactical shift saw her take up the role of super-sub for the remainder of the tournament, with Gustavsson looking to unleash her pace and energy on tired defenders.

She is much more than that, though, with brilliant technique, and a real eye for goal, scoring three times for the Matildas and 30 times at club level for Sydney FC; her form earned her a move to the NWSL's NC Courage in the off-season.

If she is to come into the starting side for the Olympics, she would take up a spot on the left wing, with Foord most likely moving up front as seen during the World Cup.

Emily van Egmond

Another player who stood tall in Kerr's absence at the World Cup is Emily van Egmond, who offers something different to Kerr and Vine.

Most comfortable as a striker or attacking midfielder, she tends to receive the ball to feet and distribute on to other players, or being something of a predator in the box with a late run into the area or a poacher's finish.

She scored once at the World Cup against Nigeria, and got a crucial assist in the Round of 16 against Denmark with a deft turn and pass for Hayley Raso's goal.

It's telling that during the high stakes knockout wins over Denmark and France, Gustavsson opted for van Egmond over Vine in the starting lineup; given her experience and cool head in tough situations, there is every chance Gustavsson may do the same in Paris.

Michelle Heyman

After a period in the international wilderness, Australian legend Michelle Heyman has reminded everyone age is just a number with her recent performances.

Kerr's injury and her form as top scorer in the A-League Women for Canberra United saw her recalled to the squad for the Olympic qualifiers against Uzbekistan, and she duly repaid the faith showed by Gustavsson by four goals in the first half of a 13-0 win!

She has 25 goals in 64 caps for the Matildas, and is a reliable presence in attack no matter the situation.

Despite not featuring at the World Cup last year, her current form and experience may mean she will be entrusted as striker for the Matildas in the group stage of the Olympics.

Matildas 18-player squad for Paris Olympics

Each squad participating in the football tournament at the Olympics is allowed to name an 18-player squad, with four additional players to be selected on a 'stand-by' basis in case any of the 18 players are unable to play in the tournament.

Note all caps and goals are correct as of July 29, 2024.

*Denotes reserve player

Matildas play at the Olympics? Schedule, fixtures, games for Paris 2024

The Matildas began their Olympics campaign with a poor result and showing against Germany, losing 3-0.

They managed to defeat Zambia in a must win match, coming back from 5-2 down to win 6-5 in an unbelievable game.

A potentially crucial final group game against the USA is scheduled for Thursday, August 1.

Despite the Games taking place in Paris, the Matildas will play two matches in Marseille and one in Nice, with all games beginning at 3:00 a.m. AEST.

Australia Olympics fixtures, schedule