Sam Kerr's season could be OVER! Huge blow for Chelsea as star player suffers ACL injury blow on training camp in Morocco

The Australia international was with the Blues at a training camp in Morocco as they prepare for their first game of 2024 next week following a winter break. The club announced on Sunday that she has been diagnosed with an ACL injury, which is likely to end her season prematurely.

An update on the club's website read: "Chelsea Football Club can confirm striker Sam Kerr has sustained an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury during our warm weather training camp in Morocco. Sam will be assessed by a specialist in the coming days and then begin her rehabilitation with the club’s medical team."

Kerr has been a vital figure for the London club having played a key role in helping them win four Women's Super League titles, three Women's FA Cups and reach a Champions League final. This season, she has four goals and two assists in the WSL to her name and has scored five times across four Women's Champions League matches.

There has been a surge in ACL injuries in women's football in recent years, with Kerr just the latest in a long list of players to have been ruled out for a long period of time. Since 2021, high profile figures such as Leah Williamson, Alexia Putellas, Beth Mead, Vivianne Miedema, Catarina Macario, Marie-Antoinette Katoto, Laura Wienroither, Chloe Kelly and Aoife Mannion have all suffered ACL injuries.

The extent of Kerr's injury will soon be assessed and she will start her recovery from the issue. In the meantime, Chelsea will prepare for their return to action with a Women's FA Cup game against West Ham on January 14.