Socceroos veteran striker Tim Cahill has been ruled out of the national side’s friendlies this week against World Cup champions Germany and FYR Macedonia.
The 35-year-old has been playing with Shanghai Greenland Shenhua in the Chinese Super League this year, starting three games and laying on one assist.
Yet Football Federation Australia confirmed that Cahill and his club had decided that he would undergo rehab on a “minor” Achilles injury after completing 90 minutes in a 1-0 win over Tianjin Teda on Sunday.
“Cahill has had a minor ongoing issue with his Achilles tendon and following today’s club match for Shanghai Greenland Shenhua FC, Socceroos staff decided it was best for Cahill to undergo rehab in China,” an FFA spokesman said.
Cahill will be replaced by Oliver Bozanic, who plays in central midfield for FC Luzern. It is the second forced change manager Ange Postecoglou has had to make, with Bailey Wright replacing Matthew Spiranovic after the Asian Cup regular suffered a hamstring injury.
Question marks have also been raised about Tomi Juric’s fitness, after Western Sydney Wanderers manager Tony Popovic claimed he was not fit to travel to Germany. It is not certain whether the promising forward has made the trip to Europe.
The latest setback raises question marks over who will lead the Socceroos line when they play Die Nationalmannschaft on March 25 in Kaiserslautern.
Trevor
Guest
I agree with you MT. Burns/Troisi/Leckie will run rings around Macedonia or maybe the Macedonians might surprise us like the last time we met them.
Slim
Guest
It is a must to see Nathan Burns at the front, a dead eye dick indeed.
LordBrucie
Guest
Despite Cahill being unavailable I feel that the socceroos can easily dispatch a very average German team. I am predicting a solid 3-1 victory for the Asian cup winners!! Anything less than a draw would be immensely disappointing.
The Bear
Guest
+ 1
RBBAnonymous
Guest
Burns is tearing it up at the moment. He would be a handful for any team. I would love to see how he fares against truly world class players from Germany. I think its a sound move.
Melbourne terrace
Guest
Good, there was no need to call him up in the first place for a post tournament friendly. Cahill must have a reduced role in these qualifiers as he is getting older and Australia need to start adapting their game to deal without him. It's a shame Juric is unlikely to be fit as well but Burns or Troisi playing up front is something I want to see, at least against FYROM. Leckie is probably the best option for Germany though with his off the ball work and quick feet. He seems more comfortable playing there for Ingolstadt than he does out wide for Australia.