Striker Adam Taggart has been replaced in the Subway Socceroos squad by forward Mitch Duke after the Perth Glory captain picked up a groin injury in the 5-1 win over Indonesia.
In a double injury blow for head coach Tony Popovic, Portsmouth FC striker Kusini Yengi has also withdrawn from the squad after sustaining a minor hamstring injury in training.
Handed a starting spot by Socceroos boss Popovic, Taggart was substituted at half-time of the clash at Allianz Stadium after picking up a groin issue.
Seen struggling several times during the first-half, Taggart’s injury meant he couldn’t continue after the break with head coach Popovic confirming afterwards that the forward would be assessed before the squad headed to China.
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Unfortunately for Taggart the news isn’t good, with a subsequent scan confirming he wouldn’t be fit enough to feature against China in Tuesday’s crucial World Cup qualifier in Hangzhou, and as a result would be replaced by J League striker Duke.
That wasn’t the only injury blow for Popovic though with news fellow striker Yengi is also on his way back to the UK after being ruled out of the clash in Hangzhou.
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Injured during a training session, Yengi’s departure means Popovic is now left with one recognised senior striker in the form of Duke, who arrived at the team’s training base from Japan having only recently returned from a holiday after being overlooked for the initial squad.
The Socceroos head into Tuesday’s crucial clash against China sat second in World Cup qualifying Group C, one point clear of third-placed Saudi Arabia.
Unbeaten since Popovic took charge, the Socceroos will be hoping for a repeat of their 3-1 victory over China in October 2024 in what was Popovic’s first game in charge of Australia.
Following the upcoming game in Hangzhou, Popovic’s side then face already-qualified Japan at Perth’s Optus Stadium in June before they make the daunting trip to face Saudi Arabia in their final two qualification matches, with the top two sides securing an automatic spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
