Vidmar Ruled Out Of Bahrain Clash

In a huge blow prior to the Socceroos Asian Cup qualifying match against Bahrain on Thursday, defender Tony Vidmar has been ruled out after suffering an injury with his club side NAC Breda on the weekend.

In a huge blow prior to the Socceroos Asian Cup qualifying match against Bahrain on Thursday, defender Tony Vidmar has been ruled out after suffering an injury with his club side NAC Breda on the weekend.

Vidmar only returned to the side on the weekend after spending several weeks on the sideline with a hip-flexor injury, but is to have reportedly suffered broken ribs during the match against Willem II Tilburg.

Promising young midfielder Carl Valeri has been called in to replace Vidmar. Valeri is currently on loan at Serie C side Grosseto from Italian giant Inter Milan.

The loss of the experienced defender, who is expected to be out for around six weeks, leaves Australia-s coaches Graham Arnold and Johan Neeskens little choice but to field an inexperienced backline.

"I was looking forward to Tony being there, mainly because he's got so much experience and we've got a young side," Arnold said of the Vidmar. "But these things happen. We've drafted young Carl Valeri into the squad, partly because he's close to Bahrain. "He's a different kind of player, can play the Vince Grella role, and if need be is someone who can hold the midfield in front of the back three."