McSOCCEROO Scott McDonald has pulled out of the Australia squad to face Argentina next week, leaving a striker selection poser for Graham Arnold.
The new Celtic signing has told the FFA he's got a hamstring injury after his club's 5-1 demolition of St Mirren at the weekend.
McDonald set up the first goal and scored the second in the match before being taken off after 70 minutes while his team was 4-0 up. He also scored in the Champions League qualifier against Spartak Moscow last week.
He had been seen as the new successor to Mark Viduka whose international future is now in doubt as he considers retiring from the Socceroos.
But McDonald snubbed the Asian Cup to join pre-season training with Celtic - and has now backed out of the Argentina match too.
With Viduka not travelling to his Melbourne hometown for the Argentina match, Aloisi lacking match fitness through not having a club and Josh Kennedy still on the recovery trail from his long-term injury, the Socceroos now face a striker crisis.
But it could be the chance for an A-League star to shine in the match.
The FFA last night promised to announce McDonald's replacement after this weekend's A-League matches.
Archie Thompson's strike partner at Melbourne Victory Danny Allsopp is the most likely call-up to join Thompson in the squad.
But it could also be an opportunity for in-form Central Coast Mariners star Nik Mrdja to stake a claim to the green and gold.
If he repeats last weekend's brilliance in front of goal this week, it could be enough to finally earn him a Socceroos call-up at the age of 28.
Nathan Burns - the other leading A-League goalscorer this season - is already committed to Olyroos duties.
But anyone from the A-League who does get chosen will however need a speedy recovery from this weekend's efforts to face Argentina - boasting the likes of Tevez and Messi - on Tuesday.
McDonald set up the first goal and scored the second in the match before being taken off after 70 minutes while his team was 4-0 up. He also scored in the Champions League qualifier against Spartak Moscow last week.
He had been seen as the new successor to Mark Viduka whose international future is now in doubt as he considers retiring from the Socceroos.
But McDonald snubbed the Asian Cup to join pre-season training with Celtic - and has now backed out of the Argentina match too.
With Viduka not travelling to his Melbourne hometown for the Argentina match, Aloisi lacking match fitness through not having a club and Josh Kennedy still on the recovery trail from his long-term injury, the Socceroos now face a striker crisis.
But it could be the chance for an A-League star to shine in the match.
The FFA last night promised to announce McDonald's replacement after this weekend's A-League matches.
Archie Thompson's strike partner at Melbourne Victory Danny Allsopp is the most likely call-up to join Thompson in the squad.
But it could also be an opportunity for in-form Central Coast Mariners star Nik Mrdja to stake a claim to the green and gold.
If he repeats last weekend's brilliance in front of goal this week, it could be enough to finally earn him a Socceroos call-up at the age of 28.
Nathan Burns - the other leading A-League goalscorer this season - is already committed to Olyroos duties.
But anyone from the A-League who does get chosen will however need a speedy recovery from this weekend's efforts to face Argentina - boasting the likes of Tevez and Messi - on Tuesday.
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