Socceroos winger Mathew Leckie likely to be ruled out of Asian Cup due to hamstring injury

A hamstring injury is set to sideline Socceroos star Mathew Leckie for up to six weeks, leaving his Asian Cup selection hopes in severe jeopardy.

Mathew Leckie is set to miss the Asian Cup. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

Socceroos star Mathew Leckie’s Asian Cup selection hopes are in tatters after a horror hamstring diagnosis that will sideline the Melbourne City winger for up to six weeks.

Leckie, 32, suffered the injury in City’s AFC Champions League 1-1 draw with Chinese club Zhejiang on Tuesday night at Ikon Park.

With the Socceroos starting their Asian Cup campaign in Qatar on January 13 against India, Leckie – who had only just returned from a knee injury – chances of being selected in Australia’s 23-man squad will depend on whether national coach Graham Arnold can afford to carry him in the hope he will be fit for the latter stages of the tournament.

Working against Leckie in that regard is that Arnold is facing similar calls with injured players Mat Ryan (AZ Alkmaar), Riley McGree (Middlesbrough), Nathaniel Atkinson (Hearts) and Mohamed Toure (Paris FC).

Melbourne City and Socceroos stat Mathew Leckie is likely to miss the Asian Cup. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images

The Socceroos’ depth will be tested at the Asian Cup, with six other players – Brandon Borrello (Wanderers), Awer Mabil (Grasshoppers), Nick D’Agostino (Viking FK), Ryan Strain (St Mirren), Gianni Stensness (Viking FK) and Bailey Wright (Lion City) – all injured and unavailable for selection.

Winger Mabil will be sidelined for eight weeks after tearing his quad in Grasshoppers’ 1-0 Swiss Super League win over Basel last Sunday.

Also not considered for selection are midfielder Ajdin Hrustic and defender Fran Karacic.

Hrustic has not played for his Italian Serie A club Hellas Verona all season, while Karacic has been without a club since leaving Italian outfit Brescia at the end of last season.

Leckie’s injury is also a blow for the Aurelio Vidmar-coached City, who are still searching for their best form after failing to reach the knockout stages of the Champions League.

“It’s very disappointing for ‘Lecks’ and obviously for the team,” Vidmar said.

“It’s a big blow for us. We just wish him a speedy recovery. It’s not an easy one.

“They say it’s around four to six weeks (on the sidelines). Unfortunately, now we’ve just got to wait, a bit of rehab, mother nature and let’s see what happens.

“Unfortunately, for the national team as well, it’s not good, but it is what it is.

“It’s a little bit hard to take because he did a hell of a lot of work after the knee injury getting himself into pretty good condition.”

Vidmar said scans on City captain and Socceroos striker Jamie Maclaren’s ankle injury had revealed ligament damage.

“Structurally, it’s all great, it’s just about how much pain he can cope with,” said Vidmar, who was confident Maclaren would be fit enough to play in Sunday’s grand final rematch against the Central Coast Mariners.

“He’s absolutely fine to play. It’s just about how much pain he can manage.”