Subway Socceroos midfielder and FC St. Pauli captain Jackson Irvine will undergo surgery on his left foot in London on Tuesday, sidelining him for the next few months, his club announced in a statement.
The disappointing news means the 32-year-old is expected to miss the remainder of the Bundesliga season and Australia's crucial June FIFA World Cup 2026™ Third Round Qualifiers against Japan in Perth and Saudi Arabia in Jeddah.
Irvine last played for the Hamburg-based outfit on April 12 against Holstein Kiel before a stress reaction prevented him from returning.
Following deliberations with the club's medical staff and senior officials, and Irvine himself, it was deemed surgery was the most appropriate treatment option.
Irvine has 78 caps and 14 goals for his country and was immense during last month's March FIFA Window, finding the net three times - with a brace against Indonesia and a stunning strike against China PR.