Troubling news for classy Caltex Socceroos defender

Australia defender Matthew Spiranovic, a mainstay of the national side under Ange Postecoglou, was a notable omission from the 30-man squad announced yesterday.

Postecoglou confirmed the 28-year-old suffered a quad injury training with Chinese second-division club Hangzhou Greentown. 

Ange on Spiranovic

“He [Spiranovic] picked up an injury in pre-season and he’ll be out for a significant period of time. It’s still not clear the extent but the early signs we have is he’ll be missing for a while. It’s a quad injury but it’s little bit more complicated than that. I don’t know the full extent.”

Spiranovic's Socceroos career

*Has played 37 times for Australia since making his debut in a friendly against Ghana in 2008.

*He played every minute of the Caltex Socceroos’ three matches at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

*Spiranovic was also a key member of Australia’s 2015 AFC Asian Cup triumph, playing five of the six matches.

The Caltex Socceroos boss announced his 30-man squad on Wednesday for the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Iraq and UAE.

Caltex Socceroos squad named for Iraq, UAE WCQs

The Caltex Socceroos tackle UAE in a crucial World Cup Qualifier in Sydney on March 28. Click here for tickets