A-League grand final hero Jason Cummings to miss Socceroos’ battle with Argentina

Jason Cummings is an unexpected omission from the Socceroos squad to meet Argentina in China.

Jason Cummings (left) celebrates during the Mariners’ grand final win. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

A-League grand final hero Jason Cummings has been ruled out of the Socceroos squad for next week’s clash against Argentina in China with a knee injury.

Cummings, who scored a hat-trick in the Central Coast’s 6-1 weekend thrashing of Melbourne City, was set to be the only Mariners player named in the 23-man travelling squad.

However, after speaking to the 27-year-old Scotland-born marksman, national coach Graham Arnold decided against selecting him.

“The last couple of weeks, (he’s had) a little bit of a knee (problem),” Arnold said.

“He needs tn get it checked out. Jason felt it wouldn’t be able to recover in time for the game.

“His grit and determination was there to want to play in the ‘GF’ and what a great job he did.”

Cummings is among a host of players from Australia’s 2022 World Cup squad who won’t go to China for next Thursda night’s matvch due to injury.

The others include Aziz Behich, Milos Degenek, Craig Goodwin, Jackson Irvine, Aaron Mooy and Bailey Wright.

Attacking pair Marco Tilio and Garang Kuol are also missing from the squad due to them being on Olyroos duty in Europe.

Called into the Socceroos squad for the first time are 19-year-old Parma defender Alessandro Circati, who has declared his international allegiance to Australia, and Melbourne City goalkeeper Thomas Glover.

Jason Cummings celebrates scoring in the A-League grand final. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

“About two weeks ago he rang me up … and he said he wants to play for Australia,” Arnold said of the Italy-born, Perth-raised Cercati,

“I said ‘if I put you this camp are you ready, and he said ‘100 per cent’.

“It’s great to get him on board because … one eye is on the World Cup in 2026 and getting players ready for that, and I don’t believe there’s a better way to test them out than against the world champions.”

Keeper Glover’s inclusion at the expense of World Cup playoff penalty-shootout hero Andrew Redmayne is also a pointer to the future.

“There are question marks on players if they’ll make it to 2026, and Andrew Redmayne is (34). We know what ‘Redders’ can do in Cups and tournaments, and it gives Tommy Glover … and opportunity to come into camp,” Arnold said.

“Watching the grand final the other night, if it wasn’t for Tommy Glover it would have been 10-1 or 11-1. He’s had a very good season and he’s definitely deserved his call up.”

“Irrespective of who we played during June, I have made no secret that this window would provide a glimpse into the future, where we were always going to reward players who have had strong seasons at club level to show what they can do on the international stage.

“With the benefit of having five friendlies before our 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign starts this November, we need to use every one of these matches to prepare as best we can, as well as having one eye on January’s Asian Cup.”

Socceroos squad: Nathaniel Atkinson, Keanu Baccus, Brandon Borrello, Jordan Bos, Alessandro Circati, Cameron Devlin. Mitchell Duke, Joe Gauci, Denis Genreau, Thomas Glover, Ajdin Hrujstic, Joel King, Mathew Leckie, Jamie Maclaren, Riley McGree, Connor Metcalfe, Aiden O’Neill, Alexander Robertson, Kye Rowles, Mathew Ryan Gianni Stensness, Harry Souttar, Ryan Strain.