CAHILL INJURY

SOCCEROOS star Tim Cahill is in hospital and in doubt for Australia’s do-or-die World Cup qualifiers with Honduras after limping out of Melbourne City’s A-League match last night.

Cahill hurt his ankle in a clash with Sydney FC’s Jordi Buijs at AAMI Park in Melbourne and required substituting just 25 minutes into the match.

Australia’s all-time leading scorer cast a forlorn figure as he struggled off the pitch.

It remains to be seen if the 37-year-old, picked as one of Ange Postecoglou’s 25-man squad for the World Cup qualifiers, will be fit for the national team.

The veteran forward didn’t stay to see out the match, travelling to hospital for an MRI on his right ankle.

Cahill was a surprise name on City’s team sheet for last night’s clash with Sydney FC, making his first start of the season.

Looking to build on his side’s strong start to the new campaign, City coach Warren Joyce included the 37-year-old against the A-League titleholders. But after 15 minutes Cahill landed awkwardly as he attempted to hurdle Sydney FC’s Jordi Buijs, requiring treatment on his right ankle. Minutes later, he collapsed on the pitch, signalling to the City bench that his night was over.

Cahill was due to fly to Central America this weekend to link up with the Socceroos squad for next Saturday’s game in Honduras.

Sydney FC ended up winning last night’s match 1-0 after Luke Wilkshire scored in the 59th minute. Michael Zullo, who left City last year, found Wilkshire at the back post with a deep cross, which the 36-year-old side footed off the pitch for his first A-League goal. Buijs made an injurytime headed clearance to deny Iacopo La Rocca an equaliser, ensuring Sydney FC usurped City at the top of the table.