MARK Milligan has pulled out of the Socceroos World Cup qualifier against Bahrain next week due to injury.
Milligan, who recently joined the Newcastle Jets, has tendonitis in his Achilles and has withdrawn from Pim Verbeek's squad.
Newcastle Jets coach Gary van Egmond said Milligan was disappointed to pull out but felt it was probably the right decision.
The Jets boss told the Herald: "He's got a bit of tendonitis on his Achilles, plus the fact he has played only a handful of games so far. He's not in the best of shape.
"The game is a World Cup qualifier, and you've got to make sure when you cross that white line, you've got no excuses and you're 100 per cent right to represent your country."
Jade North will be jetting off to join the squad though, despite initial fears over a knee strain.
North and Milligan were called up when Australia lost Craig Moore, Matthew Spiranovic and Vince Grella this week.
The Socceroos face Bahrain in the early hours of Thursday morning.
Newcastle Jets coach Gary van Egmond said Milligan was disappointed to pull out but felt it was probably the right decision.
The Jets boss told the Herald: "He's got a bit of tendonitis on his Achilles, plus the fact he has played only a handful of games so far. He's not in the best of shape.
"The game is a World Cup qualifier, and you've got to make sure when you cross that white line, you've got no excuses and you're 100 per cent right to represent your country."
Jade North will be jetting off to join the squad though, despite initial fears over a knee strain.
North and Milligan were called up when Australia lost Craig Moore, Matthew Spiranovic and Vince Grella this week.
The Socceroos face Bahrain in the early hours of Thursday morning.
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