Sam Kerr’s teammates in the Matildas squad are committed to ensuring the star striker feels no added pressure as she makes her much-anticipated return to international soccer.

However, goalkeeper Teagan Micah acknowledges that Kerr’s comeback offers a “confidence boost” for the team, as they eagerly prepare for the Asian Cup, now less than five months away.

Kerr is poised to rejoin the Matildas for a match against Wales in Cardiff scheduled for Sunday at 12 a.m. AEDT, followed by a clash with European champions England in Derby four days later.

“It’s definitely a confidence enhancer for us,” Micah remarked. “She’s been a key figure in our squad for a very long time.”

“We are simply thrilled to have her back with us, and we are careful not to impose any expectations on her performance,” she added.

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.’