Martin Boyle World Cup injury fears as back-up player flown in for Socceroos

Australia’s most potent attacking weapon is in danger of having his entire World Cup dream potentially blown up.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – NOVEMBER 20: Martin Boyle of Australia celebrates scoring a goal during the International Friendly Match between the Australian Socceroos and Lebanon at ANZ Stadium on November 20, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

The Socceroos’ World Cup plans have been dealt a blow with star winger Martin Boyle’s knee injury deemed serious enough for Melbourne City’s Marco Tilio to be flown in as cover.

Tilio arrived in Doha on Tuesday, seemingly putting Boyle’s place not only against France in doubt – but potentially his entire World Cup dream.

Boyle has not taken the field since copping a blow to his right knee last month while playing for Hibernian in the Scottish Premier League, and again failed to feature at the Socceroos’ training session on Tuesday evening, with Tilio taking his place.

The Socceroos remain adamant it is business as usual, but with less than a week before Australia’s opening fixture against France (Wednesday 6am, AEDT), time is running out for Boyle – and for Arnold, prompting Tilio’s belated call-up.

Under FIFA’s World Cup regulations, teams can replace an injured player, for a medical reason, up to 24 hours before their first game.

Martin Boyle hasn't played since suffering the knee injury for Hibs. Picture: Getty

One of Australia’s premier attacking weapons, it would be an enormous blow to Arnold’s plans should the Scottish-born star succumb to the knee injury – with midfield ally Cameron Devlin suggesting Boyle would be a “massive loss” if unavailable, while stating the continued absence was ‘precautionary’.

“Obviously over the years everyone can see what a big player he is – he does it week in, week out over in Scotland for Hibs. He’s been a massive player for them and takes it into his country, for Australia,” said Devlin on Tuesday.

“He’d be a massive loss – but I think it’s just precautionary because we’ve got the first game in a week.

“But if he wasn’t to play he’d be a massive loss.”

Marco Tilio could be a late addition to Graham Arnold’s World Cup squad. Picture: Getty

Tilio, who represented the Olyroos at the Tokyo Games last year, was a tough omission from Arnold’s original 26-man squad – having featured during the qualification campaign.

Last week, Tilio’s Melbourne City coach Patrick Kisnorbo blamed “the hype” around the 21-year-old for his original omission.

“The hype hasn’t helped,” Kisnorbo said.

“Every week we get asked about Marco, it’s only normal that sometimes people listen.

“He’s young, he’s got a lot of World Cups, potentially, to be part of.

“This is a test of his career. I’m sure he’ll go through this and do himself proud and work harder and hopefully one day we’ll see him at a World Cup.”

That chance may come much sooner than expected.

France’s Karim Benzema (R) comes into the World Cup under an injury cloud. Picture: AFP

France, meanwhile, are facing a potential injury crisis of their own with Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema unable to take part in the team’s final session before they arrive in Qatar in Wednesday.

Forward Christopher Nkuku added a further headache for coach Didier Deschamps when he limped away from training due to a leg injury, according to a report by French radio’s RMC.

Benzema has been plagued by a knee complaint this season that has restricted him to limited appearances for Real Madrid and sparked rumours about fitness issues.

The 34-year-old reportedly left the French training session after just 15 minutes of light running drills, while two other players – defender Raphael Varane and midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni – were able to complete the session as they look to prove fitness ahead of Tuesday’s clash with Australia.

France have already been forced into some last-minute changes to their squad with injured PSG centre-back Presnel Kimpembe replaced by Monaco’s uncapped defender Axel Disasi, while forward Marcus Thuram - son of France great Lillian Thuram - was named as the 26th member of the touring party.

Originally published as Martin Boyle World Cup injury fears as back-up player flown in for Socceroos