Chelsea striker Sam Kerr has said she will not jeopardise her playing future by rushing her recovery from a second anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.
Kerr, Australia's all-time leading scorer with 69 goals in 128 appearances, suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury during training with Chelsea in January and missed the Paris Olympics.
He also missed the 2012 London Games due to a similar injury.
“I'm not going to put a date on my return, I'm just going to make sure I do well and feel good before I get back on the court,” Kerr told Optus Sport in an interview published on Monday.
“It's my second ACL injury so I know I have to take my time to make sure everything is OK and I'm doing everything I can. But I'm definitely in no rush, I want to make sure I can play for many more years to come.”
Kerr, who turns 31 on Tuesday, has signed a contract extension until 2026 with the Women's Super League (WSL) champions.
Since joining Chelsea in the 2019-20 season, Kerr has won five WSL titles, three FA Cups and two League Cups. She also helped the team reach the final of the Women's Champions League in the 2020-21 season.
Chelsea are making a fresh start this season under French coach Sonia Bompastor after 12 years under former manager Emma Hayes.
Kerr said her main goal will be to win the Women's Champions League after losing in the semi-finals last season.
“We've fallen short for several years in a row and I hope Sonia brings that to this club,” he added.
