Injured Luongo set to pull out of Socceroos' Kyrgyzstan clash

Sought-after midfielder Massimo Luongo is set to withdraw from the Australia squad for next month’s opening 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Kyrgyzstan due to an ankle injury suffered in the League One play-off final defeat.

Luongo

Massimo Luongo will play for QPR (Getty) Source: Getty Images

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Luongo is to undergo a scan on Tuesday in the UK with all indications pointing towards him pulling out of Ange Postecoglou’s 23-man squad, which will convene in Dubai on 9 June for a training camp ahead of the qualifier in Bishkek on 17 June (AEST).
The injury, sustained in a heavy tackle as Swindon was crushed 4-0 by Preston North End at Wembley, was on the same ankle Luongo hurt earlier in the season.

It appears he will now be advised to take a complete break to heal while his club future is also resolved.

Luongo has also suffered groin and hamstring issues since returning from the Socceroos' AFC 2015 Asian Cup triumph, with the injuries taking their toll in the final 10 weeks of the season.

He missed Australia’s epic 2-2 draw with Germany in March through injury but did play against FYR Macedonia four days later in Skopje.

His next career move could be decided as early as Monday when his advisors meet Swindon chairman Lee Power to assess a number of offers, with Premier League outfit Aston Villa and relegated Queens Park Rangers the front runners to snare his signature.

Villa coach Tim Sherwood – who worked with Luongo when he as in charge of Tottenham Hotspur’s Academy team – wants to bring him to Villa Park as part of a package including his Robins team-mate Ben Gladwin.

Reports in England claim Sherwood has offered $7 million for the pair, while Swindon is holding out for at least $8 million.
Power values Luongo at $6 million, having told The World Game on Monday that he had three offers on the table for the 22-year-old.

QPR, which is looking to offload a number of highly paid flops as it prepares for life in the Championship next season, has identified Luongo as a prime target to execute a new policy of building a vibrant young team minus the big names.


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2 min read
Published 26 May 2015 4:54pm
Updated 26 May 2015 5:26pm
By David Lewis
Source: SBS

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