<\/p>\n
Matildas stalwart Elise Kellond-Knight faces the agony of missing her home World Cup after rupturing an Achilles tendon in training with club Melbourne Victory.<\/p>\n
The 32-year-old suffered the injury on Friday, and will require surgery.<\/p>\n
Victory have ruled her out of the rest of the A-League Women’s season, and the severity of the injury would suggest Kellond-Knight will also miss the Women’s World Cup, which kicks off in July.<\/p>\n
“We are all heartbroken and completely devastated for Elise with this latest injury news,” Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson said.<\/p>\n
“KK is one of the strongest and most resilient people and players I have coached, and our team, our staff and Football Australia as an organisation will surround her with strong care and backing during a difficult time.”<\/p>\n
Even if Kellond-Knight was able to recover from the injury ahead of the World Cup, she would have no ability to show her fitness in club football, with the A-League Women campaign to conclude next month.<\/p>\n
The injury is all the more devastating given Kellond-Knight’s injury history.<\/p>\n
An ACL tear in 2020 kept her out of the game for two years, before she returned to action last August with the hope of playing at a fourth World Cup.<\/p>\n
Kellond-Knight, a creative yet steely central midfielder, was selected in the all-star teams at the 2011 and 2015 World Cups.<\/p>\n
Melbourne Victory football director John Didulica said Kellond-Knight was “one of the most incredible people and professionals in the game” and despite her injury – could still play a role for club and country.<\/p>\n
“Have no doubt, her experience can support both our A-League Women’s team as we head towards the finals series and the Matildas as they chase history.”<\/p>\n
Since making her Matildas debut in 2007, Kellond-Knight has tallied 113 caps, scoring two goals.<\/p>\n
Her most famous strike in national team colours was her “Olimpico” goal direct from a corner at the 2019 World Cup in Australia’s round-of-16 exit to Norway.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n