Matildas young gun Amy Sayer has ruptured her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), ruling her out of the Paris Olympics.
Sayer had to be helped off the pitch while playing for Swedish club side Kristianstads DFF on the weekend, with scans confirming the severity of her injury.
Her ACL tear follows similar injuries to superstar captain Sam Kerr and young winger Holly McNamara.
Midfielder Katrina Gorry has an ankle injury while defender Clare Hunt has a foot stress fracture, with both racing the clock to prove their fitness before the Olympics.
Aivi Luik, Emily Gielnik and Chloe Logarzo are also battling injuries.
Sayer, 22, has 11 caps and featured regularly in recent Matildas squads after just missing out on last year’s Women’s World Cup.
She scored her first goal during February’s Olympic qualifiers against Uzbekistan and would have been pushing for selection for the 18-player squad for Paris.
“Since returning to the national team set-up in late 2022, Amy has been a positive addition to our team with her attitude and work ethic on and off the pitch,” coach Tony Gustavsson said.
“To have suffered this setback is an upsetting blow for Amy and for our Matildas family.
“As always for us, our priority will be on supporting Amy and ensuring she is provided with care and assistance as she needs to navigate this challenging time.”
Sayer will remain in Sweden for medical assessments before undergoing surgery then rehabilitation, with no timeline put on her return to play.
Fowler, Kennedy on the verge of WSL title
Meanwhile, fellow Matildas stars and Manchester City players Mary Fowler and Alanna Kennedy are in pole position to become English champions after a calamitous Women’s Super League defeat for Chelsea.
Not even an own goal from their Matildas goalkeeper Teagan Micah could prevent Liverpool from beating champions Chelsea 4-3 on Wednesday (Thursday AEST), a result that has tipped the title race decisively in Manchester City’s favour.
Fowler had scored two dazzlers and Kennedy was a rock at the back in the City side that had swept to a 4-0 win at Bristol City at the weekend, and Chelsea simply couldn’t respond to the increasing pressure at Liverpool’s Prenton Park.
Already beaten in the League Cup final, FA Cup semis and Champions League semis in recent weeks, a season that looked as if it could be a glorious “quadruple” send-off for manager Emma Hayes, who will be leaving to coach the USA, may now end up with the Blues winning nothing.
The destiny of a fifth straight WSL title is now out of Chelsea’s hands as they still lie six points behind City with only one game in hand, and are also trailing on goal difference.
If City gain a win and a draw against third-placed Arsenal and Aston Villa in their final two games, it will be enough to guarantee a first title, while Chelsea must hope for them to slip up while they beat relegated Bristol City, FA Cup finalists Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United in their final three fixtures.
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AAP
