Injuries to influential Socceroos a worry for Ange
A PAIR of Socceroos walking the injury tightrope present coach Ange Postecoglou with his biggest headache ahead of World Cup qualifiers.
Postecoglou will name a 23man squad today for matches against Japan and Thailand that could lock in Australia for the Cup in Russia next year.
Mile Jedinak and Trent Sainsbury are likely to be named but whether they front up is another question. Both are touch- and- go propositions to play in Japan ( August 31) or in Melbourne ( September 5) against Thailand.
It’s hard to think of two more influential Socceroos.
Jedinak is Postecoglou’s midfield marshal, ever- present when fit during the national coach’s four- year reign.
The Aston Villa man didn’t travel to the Confederations Cup after the flare- up of an ongoing groin complaint in Australia’s last World Cup qualifier in June.
Jedinak will be named in the 23- man squad but if he doesn’t feature in either of two matches for Villa today and Sunday morning ( AEST), is likely to be replaced.
The options are less obvious for Sainsbury, Australia’s standout central defender.
He was one half of the pair- ing that won the Asian Cup two years ago, and entrusted as the main man in Postecoglou’s rebooted three- man defence.
In Russia, Sainsbury was Australia’s most consistent performer but he hasn’t played for his club since being substituted in the 1- 1 draw with Chile with a hamstring problem.
Speaking after that match, Postecoglou said he had asked Sainsbury to attempt the superhuman.
“It was unfair to be honest what we did to him,” he said.
“He played 20 minutes of football this year and it’s not right that he should be out there chasing world- class players around.”
Postecoglou will need to play three of his defensive options – Asian Cup winner Matt Spiranovic, Bailey Wright, Ryan McGowan, Milos Degenek and squad bolter Matt Jurman – in Sainsbury’s absence.