FOOTBALL Australia has confirmed that towering Socceroos defender Harry Souttar has sustained an anterior cruciate ligament injury.<\/p>\n
Souttar was stretchered from the field after injuring his knee in Australia\u2019s 0-0 draw against Saudi Arabia in last week\u2019s World Cup qualifier in Sydney.<\/p>\n
It means Australia will be without the 23-year-old for the rest of their qualifying campaign and potentially the 2022 World Cup in Qatar next year.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are devastated for Harry. This injury is a blow for an immensely talented young footballer, and in turn his country and club,\u201d Socceroos coach Graham Arnold said.<\/p>\n
\u201cHarry is a determined and positive young man who will leave no stone unturned to return to the pitch as soon as possible.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will support Harry every step of the way and believe that he has an enormous future ahead of him playing at the highest levels of world football.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Stoke City defender has become a crucial part of Arnold\u2019s Socceroos side, scoring six goals in 10 appearances since making his international debut in 2019.<\/p>\n
Ryan McGowan and Bailey Wright have been called up to Australia\u2019s squad for the World Cup qualifier against China in Sharjah on Wednesday morning.<\/p>\n
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