Mitch Langerak out of Socceroos squad to face Japan in World Cup qualifier to sort club future

THE club future of Australian goalkeeper Mitch Langerak has taken an interesting turn, with the Socceroo pardoned from his side’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers.

THE club future of Australian goalkeeper Mitch Langerak has taken an interesting turn, with the Socceroo pardoned from his side’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers.

The 29-year-old was instrumental in Stuttgart’s promotion to the German Bundesliga, conceding just 37 goals in 34 games last season.

But on the eve of the season he was dealt a crushing blow, replaced as No. 1 by Ron-Robert Zieler, who has been around the German national team for some time but was stuck behind Kasper Schmeichel at Leicester City last season.

Ange Postecoglou faces selection dilemma ahead of Socceroos’ crucial World Cup qualifier against Japan

Socceroos goalkeeper Mitch Langerak will miss Japan clash to sort club future before deadline

Digo Andrade of Brazil on a run past Australia's Mitch Langerak Picture: George Salpigtidis

The move has been an unpopular one with Stuttgart fans, who came to love the former Melbourne Victory star.

But now they might be bidding the Aussie goodbye given the reasoning behind Adam Federici replacing him in the Socceroos squad in Japan.

The European transfer window closes on Friday morning, Australian time.

“Mitch has some issues at club level that he needs to resolve,” coach Ange Postecoglou said.

“Speaking with Mitch, it was in our mutual interests that he focus on that at the moment rather than come into camp.

“Adam is a very experienced goalkeeper and we know we will have three very good options in that position for the upcoming matches.”

Bournemouth’s Federici will arrive in Tokyo on Wednesday morning.

Originally published as Mitch Langerak out of Socceroos squad to face Japan in World Cup qualifier to sort club future