Two key injuries concerns for the Socceroos head of World Cup opener against France on Wednesday…but Harry Souttar insists he is NOT one of them
- Harry Souttar says he is fully fit ahead of the Socceroos World Cup opener
- Australia have injury concerns with Ajdin Hrustic and Martin Boyle
- Arnold’s side will take on France on Wednesday morning AEDT
Stoke City and Socceroos back Harry Souttar insists he is not apart of coach Graham Arnold’s injury list as the Aussies suit up for a mega challenge against defending champions France.
Yet concerns remain over a key duo ahead of Australia’s cup opener which takes place on Wednesday (AEDT).
Harry Souttar pumps his fists during a photo shoot for the official 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar
Playmaker Ajdin Hrustic (ankle) and winger Martin Boyle (knee) are still battling their respective ailments.
Both have yet to feature in main training when sessions have been open to observers for a brief 15-minute window since they arrived in Qatar.
Socceroos winger Ajdin Hrustic fights for the ball against Japan’s Maya Yoshida during a World Cup play-off
Boyle and Hrustic have been continuing their rehabilitation away from the main group but Souttar says he’s fully recovered from a knee reconstruction.
That followed anterior cruciate ligament damage he suffered in a World Cup qualifier against Saudi Arabia in Sydney last November.
The imposing defender spent a year on the sidelines and played just one full senior game for his English championship side Stoke City before landing in Qatar.
‘Obviously it was a long 12 months trying to get back fit … but I feel great,’ Souttar said.
‘I knew it was a bad injury and it was going to mean a long-term one … the first thought I had was ‘right, how do you get fit for the World Cup”.
Martin Boyle contests for the ball against New Zealand’s Liberato Cacace during a friendly in September
Souttar’s fitness will prove vital for the backline and at corner time, given he scored six goals for Australia during World Cup qualifiers against Taiwan, Nepal, and Jordan.
The 24-year-old is reportedly a transfer target for English Premier League heavyweights Spurs and Everton.
Kye Rowles, a fellow Socceroos centre defensive player, said he has fully recovered from a broken foot in late August.
Souttar gave reporters little insight into Boyles recovery, saying ‘in terms of what he’s doing, I think he’s looking good.’
His setback is a tough jag for Australia.
Jackson Irvine (L) and Socceroos head coach Graham Arnold (R) during a team photo in Qatar
The Hibernian FC forward debuted for the Socceroos in 2018 against South Korea and has since tallied 19 caps for Australia, scoring five goals.
Melbourne City livewire Marco Tilio has joined the Socceroos as a standby but remains outside the Socceroos’ official 26-man squad.
FIFA rules permit coach Arnold to replace players suffering from injury or COVID-19 up to 24 hours before their first match.
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