Wagner: Mooy will not be fit for Socceroos

club’s medical team. Mooy has a right-knee medial ligament injury and came out of a leg brace only 48 hours ago.

The Aussies play their first match on January 6 against Jordan and have until six hours before that game to replace Mooy in the squad should they wish to do so.

Australia are due to assess the player themselves in the next 48 hours, but Wagner says the most important thing is the player’s wellbeing. We made investigations a week or go, or 10 days ago, we said our medical department were clear what the images and clinical tests showed - he will be out for around eight weeks,” explained Wagner.

“The Australian federation asked for a second opinion, which we absolutely respect, and they will make another investigation tomorrow (Friday), and I expect to be confirmed what we said 10 days ago.

“I have to make totally clear, we have to accept and respect that it is not about the Australian federation, the Asian Cup, Huddersfield, the game against Manchester City at the end of January or whatever, it is all about Aaron Mooy and his long-term career.

“We will, and he will - with our 100 per cent support - rush nothing. He has to make sure everything heals properly. He can’t and we can’t afford further problems with his knee in the future, so it is all about his longterm future.We expect (the injury) to be around eight weeks after the investigations we had. Tomorrow there will be a second opinion, which was asked for and we support them, and then we will see how everything ends.”

Australia have suggested the 28-year-old midfielder is keen to be involved with his country, so what does the Town boss know of that situation?

“What I know is that Aaron is keen he is 100pc fit and that he continues his rehabilitation like it has continued so far,” answered the boss, who has striker Steve Mounie back in contention to face Southampton at the John Smith’s on tomorrow.

“He is also keen that he will have no further issues, this is what I know and this is what he has said to me. This is the only truth, not just Aaron’s truth. If this means he plays Asian Cup then okay, he plays Asian Cup. If this means he will not play then he will not play.

“If this means he will not play for us until February, whatever, then so be it. The most important thing is

It is all about Aaron Mooy and his long-term career. We will, and he

will, rush nothing