Chelsea manager Emma Hayes has confirmed that Australian international forward Sam Kerr is fit to travel to Portugal with the squad for their UEFA Women’s Champions League round of 32 first leg tie against Benfica.
The Blues begin their participation in this season’s UEFA Women’s Champions League against the tournament debutants in Lisbon tomorrow afternoon.
There have been some concerns for forward Kerr’s fitness ahead of the match with the player having taken a blow to the hip after netting a hat-trick for The Blues in their 3-2 victory over West Ham United at Kingsmeadow on Sunday. Manager Hayes has today confirmed the player’s inclusion in the squad for the trip to Lisbon though as reported on Chelsea’s official website.
Chelsea meet Benfica for the very first time at the Benfica Campus tomorrow afternoon. The Eagles were only formed in December 2017 but have enjoyed a rapid rise up the Portuguese footballing pyramid. Luis Andrade’s side defeated POAK in the first qualifying round of this season’s UEFA Women’s Champions League before seeing off the threat of a strong Anderlecht side at the second stage of qualifying.
Hayes’ Blues will want to avoid a potential banana skin in Portugal and set down some solid foundations for next week’s second leg back at Kingsmeadow. The club’s medical team are likely to have one final check on the fitness of in-form forward Kerr but should she be fit to play a significant part against Benfica, she will hand her club a real boost.