Socceroos coach Holger Osieck has confirmed he is likely to make changes to the team to face Bahrain at the Asian Cup with Jason Culina and Luke Wilkshire set to be rested to nurse injuries.
Australia need only to avoid defeat in the Group C match on Tuesday (Wed morning AEDT) to progress to the quarter-finals, but the German faces a number of selection decisions.
Midfielder Culina (knee) and right back Wilkshire (groin) were hurt in the 1-1 draw with South Korea while left back David Carney (shoulder) is also in doubt for the match at Al Sadd Stadium.
Osieck did not rule out the trio on Sunday but hinted he wouldn’t take any risks with Australia heavy favourites to win the match.
“At present it’s still open, we hope they may be back in the team but considering the situation I may rest them and replace them with players who are definitely ready,” Osieck said.
Osieck has ready-made replacements in Carl Valeri and Jade North should should Culina and Wilkshire not play.
The coach was more upbeat about Carney’s prospects but faces a tricky situation should he be ruled out due to the lack of depth at left back.
Matt McKay is an option, while North and captain Lucas Neill can also play there.
Culina went off at halftime against Korea due to a knee problem that has plagued him throughout the A-League season with Gold Coast.
“It aggravates when we have too many games in a short period of time,” Osieck said.
“We’ll consider probably to rest him to give him more time to recover from that and get over it.
“We can’t write him off. He’s going to be back, I’m pretty sure about that.”
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