Sources in Townsville tell au.fourfourtwo.com that the U/23s skipper had not arrived by Sunday night for the camp that is due to wrap up on Thursday.

It’s understood Milligan, 22, arrived in Australia on Saturday with his agent, Tom Brookes, after a short trip to the UK.

He had been named in the Olyroo squad for the camp, a camp that U/23 coach Graham Arnold had said would see a rejuvenated Milligan following some recent injuries and a falling out with Sydney FC.

FFA CEO Ben Buckley told this website on Friday that the FFA expects their star skipper to front at the training camp sooner rather than later.

“My understanding is that he'll make his way to the camp once he arrives back in the country as soon as practicably possible and from their the coaching staff will sit down and discuss why he wasn't there on the due date.

“I'm not pre-empting any decision on Mark. He needs to put his views forward. And I'll expect that to happen.”

The FFA have publicly steered clear of criticizing Milligan personally. However, a sanction is possible.

There are still doubts over whether the FFA knew about the trip to train with Arsenal and if they okayed his late arrival.

The FFA claim they knew nothing about it but Milligan's camp of supporters insist they had told them.

It is the second time Milligan has gone AWOL in search of an overseas club. Last year Milligan abruptly left Sydney FC for an unsanctioned trial with French club Metz after his eye-catching performances at the Asian Cup.