Sam Kerr’s much-anticipated return to the international soccer scene has her Matildas teammates buzzing with excitement, yet they’re keen to ensure the star striker feels no undue pressure as she steps back onto the field.

Teagan Micah, the team’s goalkeeper, acknowledges that having Kerr back is indeed a ‘confidence boost’ for the squad. With less than five months until the Asian Cup, the Matildas are balancing eagerness with a sense of urgency as they prepare for upcoming challenges.

Kerr is slated to make her comeback with the Matildas in a match against Wales in Cardiff, scheduled for Sunday at 12 a.m. AEDT. Following that, they will face off against European champions England in Derby just four days later.

“She’s a significant presence in our team and has been for a very long time,” Micah remarked. “Naturally, having her back gives us a boost in confidence.”

Micah emphasized that while the team is thrilled about Kerr’s return, they are careful not to burden her with expectations. “We’re just genuinely happy to see her back. We don’t want to impose any pressure on her. We know she’s been away for a while, and our focus is on supporting her return to enjoying the game. We believe the goals will naturally follow.”

Sam Kerr’s Matildas teammates are determined not to put any pressure on the superstar striker as she prepares to return this weekend against Wales after close to a two-year absence

Kerr last played for Australia in November 2023, having endured a 20-month rehabilitation from an ACL tear suffered in early 2024 when on a training camp with Chelsea

‘We understand she’s been out for a long time, and for us, we just really want her to get back to it, enjoying football, and I think the goals will come with that.’

Micah said the Matildas were trying to ‘soak up’ everything they could under coach Joe Montemurro, with just two international windows before the Asian Cup squad is selected.

‘It’s probably a bit more of an excitement,’ Micah said.

‘I think this is the first time in a long time where we’ve had a very strong, competitive group within the squad. So I think there’s a lot of excitement there.

‘I mean, yes, (there is) a sense of urgency. I know the Asian Cup is in (March), but for us, it does feel like some time away between then and now. We still have a lot of games to get through.’

After concussion briefly derailed her career, Micah has managed to re-establish herself as first-choice goalkeeper ahead of Mackenzie Arnold.

Micah is determined to keep that spot for the Asian Cup, after ambitiously switching from Liverpool to French powerhouse OL Lyonnes.

‘That’s obviously my main goal,’ she said.

Teagan Micah aims to be the Matildas’ first-choice goalkeeper – she also recently moved from Liverpool to French powerhouse OL Lyonnes 

‘I wouldn’t make any move that I didn’t think would benefit my career.’

At OL Lyonnes, Micah is the deputy for Chilean star Christiane Endler, one of the world’s best goalkeepers.

She has already impressed in a Champions League game and is relishing training against ‘world-class’ strikers.

‘It’s probably, for club land, the highest possible environment that I could put myself in,’ Micah said.

‘I’m really enjoying it, the training, coaching, everything that I’m getting there, the players.

‘Of course, Christiane is a world-class keeper. I knew that going into it and what my role would be.

‘So far, I’m really enjoying learning off her and she’s just a class person as well.

‘Training every day and being around players like that every single day, being pushed to my limit helps and hopefully I’m able to bring that onto the national team.’