Sydney FC’s Joel King recalled to the Socceroos squad for Canberra battle with Lebanon

Socceroos coach Graham Arnold has reinforced his squad for Tuesday’s match against Lebanon due to the unavailability of Riley McGree, Jordy Bos and Keanu Baccus.

Joel King has been added to the Socceroos squad for Tuesday’s match against Lebanon. Picture: Mike Owen/Getty Images

Socceroos coach Graham Arnold has added Sydney FC left-back Joel King to his depleted squad for Tuesday night’s FIFA World Cup qualifier against Lebanon in Canberra.

With two of Arnold’s left-sided options in Jordy Bos and Riley McGree ruled out of the match after suffering injuries in Australia’s 2-0 win over the same opponent on Thursday at CommBank Stadium, King has been brought into the squad despite his lack of football since early January.

King, who was a member of the Socceroos’ 2022 World Cup squad, missed eight matches for the Sky Blues with a foot injury, and has only been used as a late substitute in Sydney’s past two games.

However, the 23-year-old former Odense BK player will provide cover in a squad that has also lost midfielder Keanu Baccus to suspension for an accumulation of yellow cards.

McGree (foot), Bos (knee) and Baccus were all released from Socceroos camp on Saturday, and were set to return to their respective clubs in England (Middlesbrough), Belgium (Westerlo) and Scotland (St. Mirren) earlier than originally scheduled.

The Socceroos will guarantee themselves a spot in the next round of AFC World Cup qualifiers with another win over Lebanon at GIO Stadium.

Joel King has been recalled to the Socceroos squad. Picture: Mike Owen/Getty Images

Defender Nathaniel Atkinson predicted an improved display from the Australians.

“We got the win (on Thursday) but I think we can all perform better with the ball,” Scotland-based Atkinson said.

“It wasn’t our cleanest performance ... but sometimes it’s not about how pretty you do it.

“Everyone was coming from all over the world to have one training session (as a full squad) before the match, so it’s hard to work on everything that you want to do, but the plus side is we’ve got another game on Tuesday, and we want to have a better performance.”

Atkinson got the selection nod at right-back in Sydney ahead of Bolton Wanderers’ Gethin Jones.

“We’ve got plenty of high-calibre players. It’s good to have competition everywhere in the squad,” the former Melbourne City star said.

“It’s healthy. That’s how you get the best out of every player.”

Atkinson was thrilled for his Hearts teammate and fellow defender Kye Rowles to score his first international goal in the 2-0 win.

“It was good to see him score, but it was even better that he had all his family in the stadium. To share that moment with him, I was buzzing,” he said.