Socceroos defender Kye Rowles to miss Australia’s two-match series against New Zealand

A Socceroos defender’s World Cup preparations have been rocked by a broken foot that will sideline him for an extended period.

Kye Rowles (left) celebrates with Socceroos teammate Jackson Irvine at the World Cup playoffs in June. Picture: Mohamed Farag/Getty Images

A broken foot will sideline Kye Rowles for up to eight weeks; however, the Socceroos defender is expected to make a full recovery in time for the World Cup.

Rowles’ impressive start to his career with Scottish Premiership club Hearts suffered a blow on the weekend when the former Central Coast Mariners star was forced off with a foot injury in the Jambos’ 3-2 win over St. Johnstone.

Scans have since revealed that Rowles, who sprung to international prominence in Australia’s successful World Cup playoffs campaign in June, has fractured his metatarsal.

The injury will rule him out of Australia’s matches against New Zealand on September 22 (Brisbane) and September 25 (Auckland).

However, Hearts manager Robbie Neilson is confident the 24-year-old centre-back will be in good shape by the time the World Cup starts in Qatar on November 20.

Socceroos defender Kye Rowles foils Peru’s Gianluca Lapadula during the World Cup intercontinental playoff match in June. Picture: Mohamed Farag/Getty Images

“Kye is going to be out for six to eight weeks,” Neilson said.

“He should be back in time to get a number of games in before the World Cup and I would expect him still to be in the squad because he’s done extremely well for Australia and he’s also done extremely well for us.

“Hopefully, he’ll only be out for six weeks.”

Rowles won’t be the only Socceroos defender missing the two-game series against New Zealand, with Stoke City centre-back Harry Souttar still recovering from a knee reconstruction after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament playing for Australia in November last year.

Souttar’s recovery was hampered by a recent setback; however, he’s expected to be fit for the World Cup.

Socceroos and Adelaide United winger Craig Goodwin is also set to miss the series against New Zealand due to a groin injury.