Matildas veteran Ellie Carpenter has become the first current player to speak publicly about Sam Kerr following the latter’s court case verdict a week ago.
Kerr was charged with racially aggravated harrassment of a police officer, but found not guilty in a London court.
She has also been sidelined from playing duties since rupturing an anterior cruciate ligament in her knee 13 months ago.
COUNTDOWN: NRL’s best redemption story in 40-31 players
READ MORE: How grand final try made Dragons recruit ‘a better player’
READ MORE: Legend weighs in on ‘exceptional’ NBA star’s Boomers bid
While the not guilty verdict would have been cause to celebrate for Kerr and her family, her teammates at club and international level have remained eerily silent on the matter.
Football Australia released a statement following the verdict, while Chelsea coach Sonia Bompastor spoke at a press conference last week and threw her support behind the star striker.
Football Australia has not yet commented on whether Kerr will remain captain of the Matildas if she does make it back to the international fold.
And her Aussie teammates aren’t too keen to discuss the issue, either.
The Matildas are in America for the SheBelieves Cup – which starts on Friday morning (AEDT) – and Carpenter was asked about Kerr during a press conference.
“This will be my only comment regarding Sam,” Carpenter began.
“For us, we hope she’s OK, and her wellbeing. It has been a very challenging time for her.
“Secondly we hope her rehab journey with her knee is going well.
“We all can’t wait to see her back on the pitch doing what she loves.
“That’s such a hard and lengthy journey. I’ve been through it as well, so I really hope that she’s back on the pitch doing what she loves and that’s going to be the best thing.”
Kerr is still rehabbing her knee injury and Chelsea has not indicated when she might be available to play.