'Reality of long-term injury' - Chelsea star Sam Kerr takes huge stride forward in ruptured ACL recovery as striker works on fitness while team-mates are on holiday

Kerr injured her ACL in January as the Blues were undergoing training in their winter break - an injury that ruled her out for the rest of the season and the Olympics in Paris. While her team-mates have been jetting off for the Olympics or on holiday, the superstar forward has spent the summer in rehabilitation as she fights to be fit in time for the new season.

While Kerr's team-mates will have been posting photos and videos of them relaxing in the off season, the Matildas' striker shared that she has not stopped work this summer. She captioned a photo of the gym: "Reality of having a long term injury". Before posting a video of her tentatively kicking a ball for the first time in five months, saying: "Reality of not having a shot in five months."

Instagram (samanthakerr20)

Kerr extended her contract at Chelsea this month and confirmed she will remain at the Blues as they enter a new era under Sonia Bompastor. Beloved manager Emma Hayes departed the club to lead the USWNT and French coach Bompastor has been tasked with emulating the success achieved by English tactician in west London.

Kerr will continue her road to recovery this summer with the aim of being ready for the 2024/25 WSL season beginning in late September. Kerr has won four WSL titles in a row and will be dreaming of adding a fifth, and Champions League trophy to her already extensive trophy cabinet.