Leckie remains a major doubt

Published on: 29 December 2018

Australia are unsure whether forward Mathew Leckie will be available for any part of their Asian Cup defence, admits head coach Graham Arnold.

Leckie has been named in the squad for the tournament despite having suffered a tear to his hamstring when playing for Hertha Berlin against Bayer Leverkusen last weekend.

At the moment it's a bit too early to say; we're being very positive about it.

Graham Arnold

The 27-year-old is in camp in the United Arab Emirates with the rest of the Socceroos squad, but early reports suggested his injury would sideline him for between three and four weeks, meaning he could be available for the knockout stages in a best-case scenario - assuming Arnold's side make it that far.

The Socceroos have until six hours before their opening match against Jordan on 6th January to make any changes to their 23-man squad.

"The medical staff having a good look at Lecks. He's got a strong will to be here so we will take it step by step and see how it goes over the next four or five days," said Arnold.

"At the moment it's a bit too early to say; we're being very positive about it. He's being very positive about it. We'll do one step at a time and at at the moment that step is just for the medical staff to get it scanned and have a look at it, treating him and see where it ends up."

The coach said though it was unfortunate to have Leckie in doubt on top of the absences of Daniel Arzani and Aaron Mooy, it would not disrupt his plans at all.

"We've got a great culture, we've got a great belief and we've got experienced players that will lead the way," he added. "I expect the standards will stay high."

Australia are 6/1 to win the Asian Cup, with Japan 9/2 and South Korea 4/1.

View all Soccer betting

Australia are unsure whether forward Mathew Leckie will be available for any part of their Asian Cup defence, admits head coach Graham Arnold.

Leckie has been named in the squad for the tournament despite having suffered a tear to his hamstring when playing for Hertha Berlin against Bayer Leverkusen last weekend.

At the moment it's a bit too early to say; we're being very positive about it.

Graham Arnold

The 27-year-old is in camp in the United Arab Emirates with the rest of the Socceroos squad, but early reports suggested his injury would sideline him for between three and four weeks, meaning he could be available for the knockout stages in a best-case scenario - assuming Arnold's side make it that far.

The Socceroos have until six hours before their opening match against Jordan on 6th January to make any changes to their 23-man squad.

"The medical staff having a good look at Lecks. He's got a strong will to be here so we will take it step by step and see how it goes over the next four or five days," said Arnold.

"At the moment it's a bit too early to say; we're being very positive about it. He's being very positive about it. We'll do one step at a time and at at the moment that step is just for the medical staff to get it scanned and have a look at it, treating him and see where it ends up."

The coach said though it was unfortunate to have Leckie in doubt on top of the absences of Daniel Arzani and Aaron Mooy, it would not disrupt his plans at all.

"We've got a great culture, we've got a great belief and we've got experienced players that will lead the way," he added. "I expect the standards will stay high."

Australia are 6/1 to win the Asian Cup, with Japan 9/2 and South Korea 4/1.

View all Soccer betting

Source: bet365.com

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