A statement published by the Women's Super League club on Sunday afternoon confirmed the news, and said Kerr will be assessed by a specialist in the coming days before beginning a period of rehabilitation with Chelsea's medical team.

The Australia international signed for the Blues in 2019, and has played a pivotal role in four WSL title wins, three FA Cup triumphs and two League Cup victories.

Kerr has averaged nearly 30 goals in the previous two campaigns for Emma Hayes' side, who are currently top of the WSL table with a three-point lead over second-placed Manchester City.

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Twice a WSL Golden Boot winner, the 30-year-old was also runner-up to Spain midfielder Aitana Bonmati at the Ballon d'Or awards this year.

Chelsea's club statement continued: "Everyone at Chelsea would like to wish Sam the very best for her recovery."

ACL injuries were a significant topic of debate during this summer's Women's World Cup after England's Beth Mead and Leah Williamson, Vivianne Miedema of the Netherlands and Canada's Janine Beckie were forced to miss the tournament.

• Why are ACL injuries on the rise in women's game?

Global soccer players union FIFPRO has said increased workload, travel and insufficient rest have contributed to an increase in injuries, including torn ACLs, among female players.

In December, European soccer governing body UEFA introduced a women's health expert panel to seek a deeper understanding of ACL injuries and their occurrence in the women's game.

What options do Chelsea have to replace world-class Kerr?

Sky Sports News' Anton Toloui:

"So much depends on how Sam Kerr's knee responds to surgery and then how her body responds to rehab and physio ahead.

"You've only got to look at various WSL strikers, and how long it's taken them to get back to full fitness after ACL injuries. Chloe Kelly took 11 and a half months, Beth Mead 11 months, Vivianne Miedema 10 and a half months.

"What we do know is that Kerr is out for the season, and it's almost improbable for her to get any game time at the start of next season either.

"As for Chelsea, there's lots of speculation about whether they'll go in for a forward to replace Kerr. They did spend big in the summer on Mia Fishel, will she get more of a starting role in her absence?

"They've also got exciting young English forward Aggie Beever-Jones, who has shown in short spells from the bench exactly what she can do. They also have Catarina Macario, who's yet to kick a ball for Chelsea, who is going to come back during this season as well.

"She's not an out-and-out No 9, but a creative wizard and has a knack for scoring goals in big games - like the Champions League final a couple of years ago for Lyon when she helped them win the trophy. That's exactly what Emma Hayes will be hoping for in her final season in charge."

Analysis: Strange for Kerr to have no further part in Hayes' final season

Sky Sports' Charlotte Marsh:

"For the most part, Chelsea have avoided the glut of ACL injuries that have plagued other teams around them, especially at Arsenal and Manchester United recently.

"But now, they have lost one of their most important players to the dreaded knee injury.

"It means Kerr, who has been synonymous with Hayes' success at Chelsea over the last few years, won't be able to help the team win the trophies that would send the manager out on a high.

"The Champions League remains the one trophy Hayes hasn't won with the Blues, and Kerr has already scored five goals in four European games this season. She has been a key part of Chelsea's progress so far and it seems strange that if the Blues are to finally win the trophy, Kerr will have no further part.

"Add to that their defence of the WSL and FA Cup, plus their bid for another Conti Cup title, it's set to be a hectic final four months of the season and a less than ideal moment to lose a player of such quality.

"But while it is a huge blow not only for Kerr, Hayes and Chelsea, the Blues have coped without their star striker before. There are few who can do what she can, but this is why you have squad depth and Chelsea's will be tested now.

"Kerr missed much of Australia's World Cup campaign last summer with injury, and needed further recovery heading into the new campaign.

"But she has started in seven of her eight WSL appearances, with four goals and three assists, showing just how - even when not at her free-scoring best - pivotal she remains to Chelsea's play.

"In the absence of another injured player - Blues captain Millie Bright - Kerr has taken on the captains armband. While Bright is expected to return when the season resumes in a few weeks' time, Chelsea will miss Kerr's leadership at the top end of the pitch.

"Her presence and threat to opposing defenders will be a huge miss too, although such is Chelsea's depth, you do not expect their form to dip too far.

"While there is no doubt it is a huge blow, the Blues have other potent threats in their ranks. The likes of Lauren James, Aggie Beever-Jones and Mia Fischel are all capable of playing through the middle - and let's not forget, the transfer window is not over yet.

"Hayes will have been acutely aware that injuries - especially ACLs - can happen at any time, and how they plan to shape up without Kerr will likely be a focus of the current Morocco training camp.

"It remains to be seen how that will affect them on the pitch, but whatever their success this season, Kerr will unfortunately play no further part."

Mead & Miedema discuss new docuseries Step by Step

Arsenal pairing Beth Mead and Viv Miedema discuss their unique journey through ACL rehab in a new docuseries entitled Step by Step - an intimate personal tale of loss, grief and recovery.