Graham Arnold has opened up on Martin Boyle's 'cruel' World Cup blow as the attacker was ruled out for Australia on the eve of the tournament starting.
The Hibs star has been forced to withdraw from the Socceroos' squad due to being unable to fully recover from the injury he sustained during club action. He picked up a knock to his knee in late-October and despite the best efforts of the medical teams for both club and country he has failed to recover in time for the finals in Qatar.
It's a major blow for the player who has been a key member of the Australia team since becoming part of the international set-up. His national team boss commented: “We all feel for Martin and it is a cruel blow for him on the eve of the World Cup.
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“He has been an integral part of our journey to get to Qatar and we thank him for everything he has given the Socceroos during this campaign. We also thank his club, who have done everything possible from their end to try and help with Martin’s recovery.”
A Hibs statement read: "Hibs midfielder Martin Boyle has been forced to withdraw from the Australia World Cup squad due to injury.
"Despite the best efforts of the Hibernian FC and Australian medical teams, Boyle has not recovered in time from the knee injury he picked up in late-October and will, unfortunately, miss the tournament.
"The Hibs winger flew out to Qatar in advance of the World Cup for further treatment on his knee but was forced to withdraw from the 26-man squad on Saturday night."
Australia kick-off their World Cup bid on Tuesday night as they come up against European heavyweights France. Denmark and Tunisia are also part of their group section.
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