Samara: The Socceroos have suffered a set back in their quest to escape their group and progress to the second round of the World Cup with striker Andrew Nabbout set to miss the remainder of the tournament.
Australia's starting centre-forward suffered a dislocated shoulder in the 1-1 draw with Denmark on Thursday night, requiring a lengthy stint on the sideline.
Sidelined: Andrew Nabbout leaves the field with a shoulder injury.
Photo: AP
It means Nabbout will not feature for the Socceroos again unless they do the unthinkable and reach the late stages of the tournament with the injury set to sideline him for around two weeks.
The 25-year-old landed awkwardly following an aerial challenge midway through the second half of the Socceroos' draw against Denmark, extending his arm out as he landed and subsequently dislocating his shoulder upon impact.
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The former Newcastle Jets man was writhing in pain as he crashed into ground and had to be substituted immediately, replaced by Tomi Juric.
Despite the bitter blow that will surely end his World Cup campaign prematurely, Nabbout was hopeful that a quick recovery coupled with progression to the second round will provide him with a slim hope of returning to the field in Russia.
"Its disappointing. Obviously it there was a lot of emotion running through me after the game. Well see how it settles down in the next few days and well go from there. I cant really say much now because the doc hasnt had a chance to look at it," Nabbout said.
It's the second time Nabbout has suffered such an injury, dislocating his shoulder while playing in Japan. He was told a recurrence of the first injury will include a shorter recovery period, giving him some hope of playing again at the World Cup.
"Ive always got positive thoughts on my mind so hopefully if I rehab it quick enough then anything can happen. I recovered pretty quick from the last one," Nabbout said."I was back running within a week and a half, two weeks. Hopefully this time – being the second time – it recovers a little bit quicker and well go from there."
It will means Bert van Marwijk will have to change his attacking lineup for the first time since forming camp back on May 20 in Turkey, having kept with the same attacking quarter of Nabbout, Robbie Kruse, Mat Leckie and Tomi Rogic for all games, including friendlies.
Nabbout's injury is a significant blow for the Socceroos ahead of their do-or-die clash against Peru in Sochi on June 26 (local time) but opens the door for Juric, Jamie Maclaren or veteran Tim Cahill to gain their first start of the tournament.
Juric has made two appearances off the bench in Russia but appears far from earning a starting spot in the first team and will face competition from Maclaren who entered the tournament in a rich vein of form for his club, Hibernian.
During the week, van Marwijk suggested Cahill is not considered as a starting option meaning Australia's all-time leading goal scorer will come off the bench if he's to play in a fourth World Cup.
Dominic Bossi is a football reporter with The Sydney Morning Herald.
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