Socceroos striker struck down in pre-World Cup scare
Anna Harrington and Nicholas Zorbas |
The Socceroos will nervously await an update on Mohamed Toure, hoping the emerging star striker has avoided a serious injury that could disrupt his World Cup preparation.
Toure became the latest Socceroo to join the dreaded injury list ahead of this year’s tournament while playing for Norwich City on Wednesday night (Thursday AEDT).
The 21-year-old, who has previously struggled with soft tissue injuries, was subbed off with an apparent groin injury after just nine minutes against Sheffield Wednesday.
Toure is now in a race to regain fitness and be available for send-off friendlies against Cameroon at Accor Stadium, Sydney on March 27 and Curacao at AAMI Park, Melbourne on March 31.
Socceroos coach Tony Popovic will already be without right-back Lewis Miller (achilles) and midfielder Massimo Luongo (ACL) for World Cup matches in Canada and the US.
Centre-back Harry Souttar is still on the comeback trail from his long-term achilles injury after a setback at Leicester City.
Craig Goodwin, Connor Metcalfe, Hayden Matthews, Noah Botic and Cameron Devlin are also battling to get back on the pitch for their respective European and A-League Men clubs.
Both Australia and Norwich will hope Toure’s absence doesn’t drag into the season and the lead-up to June’s World Cup.
“First look, it was not good, but let’s wait and see,” City boss Philippe Clement told BBC Radio Norfolk post-game regarding Toure’s injury.
Clement later added in his press conference: “I don’t know yet, but it doesn’t look like something (where) he will be back in a few days.
“So let’s scan. Let’s see and like all the time, I need to wait for the assessment. And then we will see.”
Norwich went on to win their English Championship clash 2-0 at Carrow Road over bottom of the league and already relegated Sheffield Wednesday.
But the Canaries will be desperate to regain their star January signing, who has been a sensation since joining from Danish club Randers.
Adelaide United product Toure had contributed five goals and an assist since joining Norwich.
The weekend’s 2-1 loss to Birmingham City was the first time Toure’s name was not on the scoresheet since arriving in Norfolk, though he had an assist.
If Toure is sidelined and cannot play in the March friendlies, Popovic will have to look elsewhere for options to lead the line.
The South Australian has been a dynamic option up top, sharing an impressive attacking chemistry with close friend Nestory Irankunda.
Veteran Macarthur striker Mitch Duke and Nicholas D’Agostino, who is finding form at Brisbane Roar, are among the options, while Popovic has long rated versatile Victory attacker Nishan Velupillay.
Japan-based brothers Tete and Kusini Yengi, untested Dundee striker Zac Sapsford, Perth skipper Adam Taggart and Poland-based uncapped Deni Juric are other options.
Hibernian striker Ante Suto, eligible for both Australia and Croatia, recently told the Edinburgh Evening News he had contact with the Socceroos and could be a smoky.
AAP