The Socceroos will be without star midfielder Tom Rogic for upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Japan and Saudi Arabia.
Rogic was forced off with an ankle injury early in Celtic’s 4-0 win over Ross County on Saturday.
It’s another huge blow for the Socceroos who are already without Aaron Mooy (COVID), Jackson Irvine (COVID), Craig Goodwin (close contact) and Riley McGree (injured) for Thursday night’s clash against the Samurai Blue.
Defender Kye Rowles has also been ruled out after testing positive to COVID-19, while coach Graham Arnold also returned a positive test. Arnold was fined $25,000 by Football Australia for breaching NSW self-isolation protocols on Monday.
Sydney FC captain Alex Wilkinson and Kuwait-based defender Ryan McGowan have been added to the squad.
Australia sits third in Group B in the final stage of Asian qualifying, three points behind second-placed Japan and four points behind group leaders Saudi Arabia with two games left.
The Socceroos must beat Japan in Sydney to keep their hopes of automatically qualifying for the 2022 World Cup alive.