Brisbane Roar captain Matt McKay has been called into the Caltex Socceroos squad for the two 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers against Tajikistan and Jordan.
He replaces Terry Antonis who injured his back at the weekend.
McKay’s call up, which puts him in line for his 59th cap, will mean the midfielder will miss Saturday’s Hyundai A-League Round 25 clash against Sydney Fc at Suncorp Stadium (6.30pm KO).
Antonis injured his back in the last training session of the week and did not play for his club side PAOK with Caltex Socceroos Head Coach Ange Postecoglou ruling out the Greece-based midfielder on the advice of medical staff this morning.
McKay (below), who was on the stand-by list for the match, will fly to Adelaide this afternoon ahead of Thursday night’s clash with Tajikistan at Adelaide Oval and stay with the squad when they travel to Sydney to play Jordan at Allianz Stadium on Tuesday 29 March.
“Terry Antonis picked up a minor back injury in training that kept him out of his club game on the weekend so it’s best he stays in Greece to get the injury right,” Postecoglou said.
“It’s a shame for Terry as he has been playing well but the door opens for Matt McKay and he will come in and perform to the same high level we are accustomed from Matt.
“We have two important World Cup Qualifiers in Adelaide on Thursday and Sydney next Tuesday and we don’t lose anything by having Matt come into the team for Terry.”
Thirteen members of the Caltex Socceroos squad have already arrived in Adelaide and will train for the first time this afternoon at Adelaide Oval.
The Caltex Socceroos matches against Tajikistan (Adelaide) and Jordan (Sydney) will be broadcast exclusively LIVE on FOX SPORTS. Thursday night’s game kicks off at 7pm Queensland time.
