Sam Kerr back with a smile: Chelsea star spotted in good spirits after returning to training following conclusion of court case

Kerr suffered a serious anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury while training in Morocco during a Chelsea mid-season camp in January 2024. Since then, the 31-year-old striker has been out of competitive football but was recently spotted in training, marking a significant step in her rehabilitation process. Despite the positive development, Bompastor emphasised that Kerr is still following a structured recovery plan and is yet to be integrated into full-team sessions.

Although Kerr had previously joined Chelsea’s squad for a warm-weather training camp in Portugal in January, she was recently pictured at the club's Cobham training ground, where she participated in light exercises. Images from the session showed her working with the ball at her feet, alongside teammate Guro Reiten, while appearing in high spirits.

Bompastor has previously hinted that Kerr could be available for selection sometime in February or March, but when asked for a definitive return date, she admitted that it remains uncertain.

"It’s difficult to give a really precise time frame for Sam," the Chelsea manager said.

"[I am] really happy to have her back on the pitch with us with the team. She's not fully practising with the team and is still being managed and it's really individual, every player is different but it is different to give a time frame. She’s progressing with her rehab and going in the right direction."

Aside from her injury, Kerr has also been in the spotlight due to her recent court case, where she was cleared of racially aggravated harassment of a police officer following an alleged incident. Speaking on the matter, Bompastor made it clear that Chelsea would fully support their player as she moves forward.

"Yeah, it happens in life and now you also need to be forgiven for that and move forward," she said.

"But I think she made a statement and she was clear in her statement, she was clear in her statement and I think that was clear enough. I think what she was facing last week was hard enough for her. The only thing we want to do as a club is support her. Since I joined Chelsea I have known Sam as a player and person and I was really surprised for her to be involved in that. Who she is doesn’t reflect what I heard in the court and what I was reading in the newspapers. Sam recognised that sometimes you can make mistakes."

With Chelsea fighting for domestic and European success, Kerr’s return to full fitness will be a welcome boost for Bompastor and the squad, who will be hoping to see their star striker back in action as quickly as possible. Meanwhile, the Blues will continue their WSL campaign this weekend as they prepare to face Everton on Sunday.