Socceroos dealt blow as Martin Boyle is ruled out of World Cup days before the opener against France

Australia’s World Cup preparations have been dealt a major blow with Martin Boyle set to miss out the tournament with a knee injury.

The Hibernian winger will be replaced by Marco Tillio, who could be in line to make a surprise start against France in the World Cup opener on Tuesday (Wednesday morning AEDT) just a week after being surprisingly left out of the World Cup squad.

One of three Scotland-born players in the Australia squad, Boyle injured his knee while playing for Hibernian three weeks ago and faced a race against time to be fit.

Martin Boyle (left) has been ruled out of the World Cup with a knee injury

He only managed light training away from the squad after arriving in camp on Monday, along with other Socceroos players based in Scotland.  

‘We all feel for Martin and it is a cruel blow for him on the eve of the FIFA World Cup,’ Australia coach Graham Arnold said on Sunday. 

‘He has been an integral part of our journey to get to Qatar and we thank him for everything he has given the Socceroos during this campaign. 

‘We also thank his club, who have done everything possible from their end to try and help. He will be back and we can’t wait to see him in the green and gold again next year.’

Marco Tilio has been called into the squad as a replacement for Boyle

Under FIFA rules, Arnold had until midnight local time on Monday – 8am AEDT on Tuesday – to name a replacement for an injured players.

However, the Socceroos boss acted swiftly after Boyle failed a fitness test on Saturday and called up Tilio to replace the 29-year-old.

‘Marco has done everything that has been asked of him to be ready for this tournament,’ Arnold explained. 

Ajdin Hrustic has been passed fit after training on his own as he recovered from a knock

Socceroos boss Graham Arnold said Hrustic could play against France on Wednesday 

‘He was an important member of our Tokyo 2020 Olympic team, he has started the A-League Men’s season well and he is familiar with the national team set up and we are looking forward to what he can bring to our squad for the tournament.’ 

Tilio joins Melbourne City FC team-mates Mathew Leckie and Jamie Maclaren in the squad and becomes the eighth A-League-based player in the 26-man group.

There was better news for Ajdin Hrustic, who was passed fit after training away from the group himself.

Arnold, however, noted the Hellas Verona playmaker would not start against France at the Al Janoub Stadium when the Socceroos kick off their World Cup campaign against the reigning champions.

France’s talismanic striker Karim Benzema will miss the World Cup with a thigh injury 

‘Ajdin’s fine,’ Arnold said. 

‘Ajdin is capable of playing against France. He won’t start against France, but he’s capable of coming off the bench and having an impact.’

France have been dealt a devastating injury blow of their own, with Karim Benzema ruled out of the World Cup with a thigh injury picked up during a training session.

Didier Deschamps has opted against drafting a replacement for the talismanic striker and Ballon d’Or winner.