Source : ABC NEWS
Jackson Irvine has confirmed he will lose the Socceroos ‘ last two World Cup qualifiers to have feet surgery, placing new stress on the level at Tony Popovic’s disposal.
Irvine backed the Socceroos to get past Japan and Saudi Arabia in crunch finals and mark their passage to next year’s World Cup in North America after writing on social press that he would go under the knife.
” I have full confidence that both the groups I love you take the final steps towards our greatest goals”, Irvine posted on Instagram.
” I will be watching and supporting alongside our incredible viewers every action until the end”.
The important American playmaker has been sidelined for Bundesliga part St Pauli for the past month with the team sending him for images, the results indicating an activity was the best course of action for the 32-year-old.
His absence is a blow for St Pauli, who are on the cusp of avoiding relegation from the German top flight with just three games left in the season.
It’s an even bigger concern for Socceroos boss Popovic, whose side hope to beat the already-qualified Japanese in Perth on June 5 and then conquer the Saudis — their closest challengers for the final automatic spot — in Jeddah on June 11 to reach next year’s tournament.
The loss of Irvine comes at a time when the Socceroos are already without defensive leader Harry Souttar and wingback Jordan Bos.
In the midfield specifically, Massimo Luongo has been overlooked due to a lack of game time at Premier League side Ipswich Town, AidenO’Neill has recently moved to the MLS with New York City, while Irvine’s St Pauli teammate Connor Metcalfe has only just returned from an ankle injury.
AAP
