Kewell, Schwarzer set for Socceroos - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Kewell, Schwarzer set for Socceroos

By Chris Lines 24/04/2006 11:48:34 PM Comments (0)

Socceroo goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer is in no doubt for the World Cup and could be back in action in a couple of weeks, his agent says.

Schwarzer was to undergo an operation on a broken cheekbone suffered in Middlesbrough's FA Cup semi-final loss to West Ham on Sunday.

The injury threw his June World Cup participation into doubt but his agent Barry Silkman said there was no chance of his being out that long and he could push for a berth in the UEFA Cup final on May 10.

"The worst-case scenario is he'll be back in training in two weeks," Silkman said.

"It's a very straightforward operation and the doctor says he can't see him being out of training any more than two weeks.

"If (Middlesbrough) get through to the UEFA Cup final he may still be able to make it."

If Boro is to make that UEFA Cup final, it must overturn a 1-0 deficit to Steaua Bucharest in the semi-final second leg on Thursday.

Fellow Australian Brad Jones will deputise in goal for Schwarzer and Boro is hopeful Socceroo captain Mark Viduka will be ready to resume from a thigh injury that kept him out of the FA Cup semi-final.

Schwarzer's better-than-expected prognosis should retain his hold on the Socceroos number one jersey for the World Cup ahead of Milan's Zeljko Kalac and Hammarby's Ante Covic, with Jones and Wigan's John Filan among the back-up options.

Harry Kewell is also expected to be fit for the Cup despite suffering a groin injury on the weekend, a reminder of the injury that blighted his past two seasons.

A source close to Kewell said his premature departure from Liverpool's FA Cup semi-final win over Chelsea was "a precaution", saying it was "a minor strain" and that the Socceroo star will become just the fourth Australian to play in an FA Cup final.

There was more concern about Everton's Tim Cahill, who was to have scans on a knee injury sustained in the draw with Birmingham on Saturday.

With nothing but pride to play for over the remaining two games, Everton would have no need to risk Cahill should the scans show even minor damage.

Socceroo assistant coach Graham Arnold conceded the slew of weekend injuries was "a major concern" and said Australian medical staff will be in contact with all the players this week.

He spoke to coach Guus Hiddink in Holland, who was philosophical about the injury situation.

"I rang him last night and spoke to him and he says `okay, there's nothing we can do about it but Australians are meant to be tough'," Arnold said in Sydney.

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