The Australia international, who has scored four goals in six matches since his arrival during the winter break, is a major doubt after twisting his ankle in training.

It could also cause him to miss the Word Cup qualifier against China on March 26.

Either Edmond Kapllani or Sebastian Freis could take his place up front, with Godfried Adoube also questionable due to a thigh strain.

In what will be his first match since announcing his summer transfer to Hannover, Mario Eggimann will return to the starting line-up following suspension.

Sports director Rolf Dohmen is confident his seventh-placed team will be able to replace the 27-year-old defender.

"Right now there are just six teams better than us in the Bundesliga," he said. "It has become much easier for us to land players."

Karlsruhe have won the hearts of many football supporters in Germany this term following their promotion to the Bundesliga, with Eintracht coach Friedhelm Funkel hailing them as the "surprise package" of the season.

They are sitting just two points shy of a UEFA Cup place.

"I am very impressed with the work coach Edmund Becker and Rolf Dohmen have been doing," Funkel said.

"But nevertheless we want to beat them at the weekend. Both teams have been doing well and I expect an interesting match."

Funkel refused to complain about his injury problems which leave him without pivotal defenders Soitiros Kyrgiakos (broken nose) and Chris (foot), while Alexander Meier (knee surgery), Markus Proll (calf), Mehdi Mahdavikia (back), Aleksandar Vasoski (hip) and Christoph Preuss (knee) are also out.

"Whining does not help us," Funkel said.