4 hours ago
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Matildas star Steph Catley is adamant Sam Kerr should assume the captaincy duties after returning to the national team last weekend following her knee reconstruction.
Kerr, 32, made her first appearance for Australia since November 2023 in the Matildas' 2-1 win over Wales in Cardiff.
Speaking ahead of the eagerly anticipated clash against England in Derby on Wednesday morning (AEDT), Catley suggested Kerr will don the captain's armband.
'Now she's back, she's stepping back into the captaincy role, as she should, and we all support her through all of that,' the defender said.
'I'll always be her number one supporter and her vice-captain, working with her to get the most out of our team.'
Despite backing Kerr, Catley has garnered plenty of support from the Australian public and football fans the past couple of years.
Matildas star Steph Catley has weighed in on who should captain the national team after striker Sam Kerr returned last weekend following her knee reconstruction
Speaking ahead of the Matildas' clash against England in Derby on Wednesday morning (AEDT), Catley suggested Kerr (pictured) will don the captain's armband
Many feel the Arsenal star should retain the captaincy, particularly amid the fallout from Kerr's well-publicised court case.
Kerr's public image suffered significantly despite her being found not guilty of racially aggravated harassment of a police officer she called 'f***king stupid and white'.
'It does seem to be a point of interest, but not so much within our camp,' Catley said.
'The way that I see it is Sam's always been our captain. I am the vice-captain, she's been out for two years, so naturally I stepped into the role as captain.
'I'd like to think I did my job. I did exactly what I needed to do.
'As a leader, I try not to change anything I'm doing already, or anything about myself, so I try to bring who I am off the pitch on the pitch, and just keep everything the same and lead the way that I do.
'Whether I've got the armband or not, I'll continue to do the same thing. Sam's our captain, and that's always the way that it's been.
'I'm proud to have been able to step into that role and do it the way that I did, and in my style, and have all the girls support me through all of that, and have Sam support me through all of that, but it's kind of a non-topic for us.'
The clash against England at Pride Park in Derby is sold out, with kick-off 6am AEDT, live on Paramount +.
