Roos’ top physio on a mission
AUSTRALIAN soccer chiefs are sending their top physiotherapist to England to get a second opinion on the extent of Aaron Mooy’s knee injury.
Football Federation Australia (FFA) says high performance co-ordinator Phil Coles will travel to meet with Mooy next week to personally assess the playmaker’s injury.
Mooy’s English Premier League club Huddersfield Town says the midfielder has been ruled out of action until the end of February – a period which covers Australia’s Asian Cup campaign – after tearing the medial collateral ligament in his right knee last weekend.
But Australian coach Graham Arnold is clinging to hope that Mooy might be available for the latter stages of the Asian Cup, which starts early next month in the UAE.
The FFA says due to the significance of the cup, Coles will be sent to conduct an additional review on Mooy’s injury.
Coles’ visit to Huddersfield will coincide with an independent assessment of Mooy’s knee next Friday. Coles and the Socceroos’ medical staff will then make a final determination regarding Mooy’s capacity to play in the Asian Cup.
“We have agreed on this plan with Huddersfield Town and know that they are doing everything they can to manage Aaron’s injury,” Socceroos coach Graham Arnold said.
“However, with such an important tournament coming up for Australia we want to explore every option available to give Aaron the chance (to play).”