Socceroos star Jordan Bos battling to overcome hamstring injury ahead of next month’s matches against Bahrain and Indonesia

Socceroos coach Graham Arnold has at least one injury concern ahead of Australia’s matches next month against Bahrain and Indonesia.

Jordan Bos (left) injured his hamstring playing for his Belgian club team Westerlo. Picture: Johan Eyckens / Belga / AFP

Star left-back Jordan Bos is in doubt for the Socceroos’ FIFA World Cup qualifiers next month against Bahrain and Indonesia as he continues to battle an injured hamstring.

It’s understood the former Melbourne City prodigy is a “touch and go” prospect after suffering the injury in his club side Westerlo’s opening match of the Belgian Pro League season, a 3-0 win over Cercle Brugge, on July 29.

There have been conflicting reports about the severity of the injury, but if a four-to-five week mooted recovery is correct, Bos would be at long odds to be fit for the Socceroos’ clash with Bahrain on the Gold Coast on September 5 as well as the following week’s battle with Indonesia in Jakarta.

While Bos is yet to be officially ruled out, right-back Ryan Strain is a certain absentee.

The former Adelaide United star, who moved in the off-season from St Mirren to rival Scottish Premiership club Dundee United, is expected to be sidelined for up to 12 weeks with a hamstring injury.

Strain, 27, made the most recent of his six Socceroos appearances in Australia’s 2-0 win over Bangladesh in Dhaka on June 6.

Ryan Strain is a long-term injury casualty. Picture: Tom Dulat/Getty Images

The injury setback comes as former Socceroo Luke Wilkshire has been made a permanent member of the national team coaching staff under head coach Graham Arnold.

Capped 80 times during a Socceroos career spanning 10 years, Wilkshire’s experience and knowledge will be welcomed by Arnold on the qualifying road to the 2026 World Cup.

“It’s fantastic to have Luke joining us permanently,” Arnold said.

“He’s been in camp before and I was extremely impressed with what he was able to bring to the group.

“I’ve known Luke for a long time as a player and now a coach and have full faith in the experience, work ethic and energy he’ll bring to this role.

“Luke has lived the journey this current group find themselves on and has a deep understanding of international football from his playing days and will bring invaluable insight into our planning and preparation throughout qualification.”

Wilkshire, whose playing career included stints with Middlesborough, Bristol City, Feyenoord, Twente, Dynamo Moscow and Sydney FC, said it was a “privilege” to again be involved with the Socceroos.

“There’s nothing that compares to being involved with your national team as a player or coach,” he said.

“The technical team and wider support staff do a fantastic job at supporting the boys on and off the pitch, and I’m looking forward to contributing wherever and however I can to ensure the Socceroos are successful over the next two years.

“I’m very grateful to ‘Arnie’ (Arnold) for the chance to join his team and continue my development as a coach under his leadership.”