Alessandro Circati makes quicker-than-expected return from serious knee injury

In good news for the Socceroos ahead of June’s FIFA World Cup qualifiers, a talented defender is set to be available for selection after recovering from a serious knee injury.

The Socceroos’ hopes of securing FIFA World Cup qualification in June are set to be boosted by the return of Alessandro Circati.

The 21-year-old defender ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee in late September, and it seemed unlikely he would play again this season for his Italian top-flight club Parma.

However, a little more than six months after suffering the injury, Circati was part of Parma’s match-day squad for the club’s weekend clash against Fiorentina.

And while Circati was an unused substitute in the 0-0 draw, signs seem positive that he will get sufficient game time between now and the end of the season late next month to be considered for selection in the Socceroos squad for the World Cup qualifiers on against Japan (June 5) and Saudi Arabia (June 10).

The Socceroos in second spot in Group C of the third round of AFC qualifiers, seven points adrift of first-placed Japan – who have already sealed World Cup qualification – and three points ahead of third-placed Saudi Arabia.

Socceroo Alessandro Circati has recovered from a serious knee injury. Picture: Robertus Pudyanto/Getty Images

The nations finishing in the top-two in each of the three AFC third-round qualifying groups are guaranteed places in next year’s World Cup.

Circati’s return would also be timely for a Socceroos side that is currently missing injured defenders Harry Souttar (Achilles) and Hayden Matthews (ankle).

Another member of Australia’s centre-back brigade, Cameron Burgess, played a full match Ipswich Town in the Tractor Boys’ 2-2 English Premier League weekend draw with Chelsea.

Also playing full games on the weekend for their overseas clubs were Australian central defenders Jason Geria (Albirex Niigata, Japan), Thomas Deng (Yokohama F. Marinos, Japan) and Kye Rowles (DC United, USA).

Elsewhere, Socceroos midfielders Jackson Irvine and Connor Metcalfe both played for their German Bundesliga club St. Pauli in a 2-1 weekend away win over Holstein Kiel.

Irvine, the St Pauli skipper, played the full match, while Metcalfe, who recently returned after being sidelined for almost six months with osteitis pubis, came on as a late substitute.

The win moved St Pauli nine points clear of the two automatic relegation spots.