Williams missed out on Australia's final 23 due to injury with former boss Pim Verbeek effectively pinning the blame at Strachan's door.

Middlesbrough were furious at the suggestions with the club rejecting any suggestion that the player had been used when not fit to perform.

Williams has been told to remain Down Under for the time being to receive the best possible treatment.

Strachan told the Middlesbrough Evening Gazette: "Rhys won't be back for the immediate future.

"He'll not be back for the beginning of the season, that's for sure.

"He'll stay in Australia. There's a specialist there who's not with the Australian FA, he's a specialist that our head physio Grant Downie knows and he'll stay there for a while."

Strachan admits he remains frustrated that Williams joined up with the Australian World Cup squad in the first place.

Strachan added: "We knew Rhys had no chance of playing in the World Cup Finals.

"I told the Australian people that the lad would struggle but they said they were happy with what they'd seen and that they would make him better for the World Cup Finals.

"Being a young man, he wanted to try his best to get into the World Cup squad, which is understandable, and that's why he tried to get fit for the last couple of our games last season, to show he was fit for the World Cup.

"But he wasn't fit. I knew and he knew he could only do a certain amount."