In a huge blow to the Socceroos’ defensive stocks, Curtis Good will not travel to Brazil

THE dreams of World Cup hopeful Curtis Good have been dashed due to his hip flexor injury as the Socceroos’ defensive crisis deepens.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 20: Curtis Good poses during an Australian Socceroos portrait session at Crowne Plaza Terrigal on May 20, 2014 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

THE dreams of World Cup hopeful Curtis Good have been dashed as the Socceroos’ defensive crisis deepens.

The Herald Sun understands that Good will be one of the three players omitted from the 30-man squad on Tuesday after the medical staff ruled him out due to a damaged hip flexor.

The Newcastle United defender, who hasn’t played since suffering the injury on his Socceroos debut against Ecuador on March 5, may need surgery.

Though prepared to wrap him in cotton wool until arriving in Brazil, Good pulled up sore after his workload was increased on Friday - he cut a dejected figure walking off the track after the 50-minute session.

China-based defender Ryan McGowan is now frontrunner to partner Western Sydney’s Matthew Spiranovic in defence, ahead of Jeonbuk’s Alex Wilkinson and Preston’s Bailey Wright - Melbourne Victory’s Mark Milligan now becomes an option.

WHO MAKES THE SOCCEROOS XI? PICK YOURS HERE

IT’S NOT TOO LATE TO BUY TICKETS FOR MONDAY NIGHT: CLICK HERE

MORE SOCCEROOS NEWS

MORE WORLD CUP NEWS

Coach Ange Postecoglou is understood to be seething as Good’s early diagnosis had him returning within a month - he even returned to club training a month ago before aggravating it.

It’s not dissimilar to PEC Zwolle defender Trent Sainsbury whose kneecap landed on a sprinkler in his Dutch first division debut in February.

He joins defenders Rhys Williams (achilles) and Sainsbury plus Robbie Kruse (knee) on the World Cup absentee list. Mitch Langerak (knee) and Tom Rogic (groin) are expected to be passed fit.

SOCCEROOS v SOUTH AFRICA

LIVE ON FOX SPORTS 2, COVERAGE FROM 6.30pm EST

FOLLOW IT ONLINE AS WELL IN OUR INTERACTIVE BLOG

There were high hopes for Curtis Good until injury struck.

Good, 21, came into calculations after stellar performances for the Olyroos last January in Oman and was urged to seek a loan move to get games - he was on the verge of signing for Central Coast before Scots Dundee United signed him on deadline day.

He laid strong claims with an assured performance against Ecuador in London before limping off in the 68th minute.

Though not asked about Good, Postecoglou yesterday revealed that he knew the 27 he was taking to Brazil on Wednesday and fitness concerns had played a part.

“Some of it will be purely on physical fitness, others will be just the balance of the squad,’’ Postecoglou said.

“We had a plan from a physical perspective that by the time we got to Brazil we wanted the majority of the squad to be at a similar level and that’s been challenging for the coaching and medical staff.’’

Postecoglou had no such concerns about captain Mile Jedinak, who will sit out tonight’s South Africa friendly as he recovers from a groin injury.

“The medicos are really happy with him, he’s on track,’’ he said.

“He’s very keen to get out there, but after the season he’s had, even if he was fully fit then he probably wouldn’t be out there.

“We needed to taper him off, but he’s ready to go. We’ll stick with the plan we’ve got for him and so far he’s progressing well.’’

Originally published as In a huge blow to the Socceroos’ defensive stocks, Curtis Good will not travel to Brazil