Socceroos skipper Mat Ryan vows to provide constant support to injured defender Harry Souttar

The Socceroos have rallied around injured defender Harry Souttar, who is set for a lengthy period on the sidelines.

A devastated Harry Souttar is stretchered off after injuring his knee in Australia’s 0-0 draw with Saudi Arabia. Picture: Mark Metcalfe / Getty Images

Captain Mat Ryan says his band of Socceroos “brothers” will unite to deal with the devastating loss of star defender Harry Souttar, whose 2022 World Cup hopes could be in jeopardy.

Souttar suffered a serious knee injury in Australia’s 0-0 draw with Saudi Arabia on Thursday night at CommBank Stadium, with fears he tore his anterior cruciate ligament.

The Stoke City centre-back, who has been ruled out of the Socceroos’ clash with China in Sharjah next week, had scans in Sydney on Friday morning.

Souttar is continuing to be assessed by the Socceroos’ medical staff, who are liaising with Stoke City, and a further update on his injury status will be provided in due course.

In Souttar’s absence, two defenders – Kuwait SC’s Ryan McGowan and Sunderland’s Bailey Wright – have been added to the squad for Wednesday morning’s battle against China.

Melbourne City attacker Andrew Nabbout, a second-half substitute against Saudi Arabia, has been sacrificed and will remain in Australia.

Goalkeeper Ryan, who made three late saves to ensure the Socceroos earned a point at CommBank Stadium, said the entire squad would support Souttar in his recovery.

Concerned Socceroos comfort fallen teammate Harry Souttar. Picture: Mark Kolbe / Getty Images

“In the environment we have here, when one of your brothers goes down … we’ll deal with it together,” Ryan said.

“It didn’t look too good. I’ve seen one replay, and in the moment, you could tell he was in a bit of pain.

“Fingers crossed, but whatever it’s going to be, I know he’s a strong character. He’s very young, and he’s destined for big things.

“Whatever it is, we’ll help him through everything, support him and he’ll be back stronger and better.”

Ryan was confident the Socceroos, who have picked up just one point from their past two qualifiers, would return to winning ways against China.

Australia is currently in second place in Group B – three points behind Saudi Arabia and one point ahead of third-placed Japan – in the third round of AFC World Cup qualifiers.

The top two teams from Groups A and B will qualify for next year’s World Cup in Qatar.

“Everyone’s pretty upbeat. Don’t get me wrong, we want to win … we wanted to deliver a win for the supporters (against Saudi Arabia),” Ryan said.

“It was unfortunate not being able to do that, but we’re still in a strong position,

“We now focus on the recovery and get ready for the China game.

“Everyone’s going to be up for it, and whoever gets the nod to start is going to do their best, and the guys that are going to come on off the bench, are going to be looking to make an impact, which is always important.”

“We’ve been scoring plenty of goals, and it’s always an issue when you’re not creating opportunities, but we definitely had them in plentiful (on Thursday night), it was just that final touch to put the ball in the back of the net.

“Come this next game, I’m confident that’s exactly what we’re going to be doing.”

Originally published as Socceroos skipper Mat Ryan vows to provide constant support to injured defender Harry Souttar