Boyle doubts grow

Tilio flown in as cover

THE Socceroos’ World Cup plans have been dealt a blow with star winger Martin Boyle’s knee injury deemed serious enough for Melbourne City’s Marco Tilio to be flown in as cover.

Tilio arrived in Doha on Tuesday, seemingly putting Boyle’s place not only against France in doubt – but potentially his entire Cup dream.

Boyle has not taken the field since copping a blow to his right knee last month while playing for Hibernian in the Scottish Premier League, and again missed Socceroos’ training on Tuesday evening, with Tilio taking his place.

The Socceroos remain adamant it is business as usual, but with less than a week before Australia’s opening fixture against France (Wednesday 6am, AEDT), time is running out for Boyle – and for Arnold, prompting Tilio’s call-up.

Under FIFA World Cup regulations, teams can replace an injured player, for a medical reason, up to 24 hours before their first game.

One of Australia’s premier attacking weapons, it would be an enormous blow to Arnold’s plans should the Scottish-born star succumb to the knee injury; midfield ally Cameron Devlin suggested Boyle would be a “massive loss” but said the continued absence was “precautionary”.

“Obviously over the years everyone can see what a big player he is – he does it week in, week out over in Scotland for Hibs. He’s been a massive player for them and takes it into his country, for Australia,” said Devlin on Tuesday. “He’d be a massive loss – but I think it’s just precautionary.”

Tilio, who represented the Olyroos at the Tokyo Games last year, was a tough omission from Arnold’s original 26-man squad – having featured during the qualification campaign.

Last week, Tilio’s Melbourne City coach Patrick Kisnorbo blamed “the hype” around the 21-year-old for his original omission.

“The hype hasn’t helped,” he said.

“Every week we get asked about Marco, it’s only normal that sometimes people listen. He’s young, he’s got a lot of World Cups, potentially, to be part of.

“This is a test of his career. I’m sure he’ll go through this and do himself proud and work harder and hopefully one day we’ll see him at a World Cup.”

That chance may come much sooner than expected.

France, meanwhile, faces a potential injury crisis of its own with Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema unable to take part in the team’s final session before its arrival in Qatar.

Forward Christopher Nkuku added a further headache for coach Didier Deschamps when he limped away from training due to a leg injury, according to a report by French radio’s RMC.

Benzema has been plagued by a knee complaint this season that has restricted him to limited appearances.