Chelsea coach Sonia Bompastor expects Australian superstar Sam Kerr to remain out of action until well into the new year.

Kerr won’t feature for the Blues in the early stages of their campaign to lift a sixth Women’s Super League title because of her knee injury.

Bompastor, who will also be without fellow forward Lauren James (calf injury) until the new year, gave an update on Kerr as the Australian continues to recover from the anterior cruciate ligament injury she sustained in January.

“I would say Sam we are looking to maybe have back with us February, March, not before that,” the Frenchwoman said.

“She didn’t start yet to train, even being modified with the group, so she’s still on her individual process rehab and I think it will take at least two or three more months for her to be fit enough to be with the squad.”

Chelsea have a five-point lead at the top of the WSL after winning all eight of their league games so far this term, and have won 12 out of 12 in total following Bompastor’s arrival as Emma Hayes’ successor.

Forward James has been unavailable for the Blues’ past eight games in all competitions, plus four England matches, because of a calf issue.

Chelsea have four more fixtures before the winter break, starting with Sunday’s WSL home clash with Brighton.

They also play Leicester away, between Champions League games against Twente and Real Madrid.