Socceroo sidelined
06/09/2008 2:04 PM
Australia has been dealt a huge injury blow on the eve of its vital World Cup qualifier against Uzbekistan.
Key midfielder Vinnie Grella won't play against the Netherlands in the Sunday morning (AEST) friendly in Eindhoven and is likely to be ruled out of the trip to Tashkent.
Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek said Grella's calf complaint was worse than first suspected.
"Vincenzo has had an MRI scan and it doesn't look good," Verbeek said.
"It is going to be very difficult for him to be ready for Wednesday."
The Blackburn midfielder was on crutches on Friday.
His unavailability is tempered by news that Mark Milligan is improving and could face Uzbekistan.
Milligan will not play against the Netherlands but the coach said he would be on the chartered flight to Tashkent and is a '50-50' chance to play.
Verbeek said the match against the Dutch was one he had 'no worries' about.
"In the end, this match is about Wednesday's game," he said.