Arnold confident Mooy will play role at Asian Cup next month

Socceroos coach Graham Arnold wants the Aaron Mooy injury situation cleared up “within days”.

Socceroos head coach Graham Arnold, centre, with Alex Gersbach, left, and Mustafa Amini. Picture: AAP

Will he or won’t he be available?

If you listen to Socceroos coach Graham Arnold, midfielder Aaron Mooy will play a role at the Asian Cup in the United Arab Emirates next month despite being ruled out because of a knee problem by his English Premier League club side Huddersfield Town.

Such is Arnold’s faith, he named Mooy in his 23-man squad yesterday for Australia’s Asian Cup defence.

“I expect Aaron to be there. It’s a long tournament, six weeks,” an upbeat Arnold said. “We’ve had great communication with Huddersfield, they ruled him out initially (for between six and eight weeks) before we could speak to them. The most important part of all this is Aaron. He wants to go to the Asian Cup, he’s asked for a second opinion, and us to go over and have a look at him.

“Huddersfield have been fantastic through the whole thing and I’ve been on the phone with them nearly every day. The kid wants to go, he wants to play for Huddersfield as well.

“But, it is one step at a time, we are going through the process of getting the request that Aaron wants and that is to be checked out again with a second opinion.”

High-performance co-ordinator (physiotherapy) Phil Coles will fly to England to assess Mooy and Arnold admits he would like the situation cleared up quickly.

United Arab Emirates, Jan 5-Feb 1

“Probably a matter of days,” he said when asked if he had a timeline for a decision on Mooy. We don’t need to be dwelling on this and being a player short in camp.

“We expect Aaron will be fine, so we expect him to be in camp on December 26-27 like the rest of the team.”

Asked about a standby replacement for Mooy, Arnold said he had 12 players on standby for the squad in case of last-minute injuries but wasn’t going to let on who they were. Certainly he will have his fingers crossed nothing happens between now and the time the squad goes into camp, especially given the fact a number of players have been given permission to play with their club sides on December 26.

“If a player was to pull out over the next two weeks we have players who know they are on standby. I sat on the phone yesterday and spoke to them all, they will be ready if called up,” he said. “We are giving the players an extra game of football. I spent eight weeks in Europe and went round all the clubs, having great communication with them. It’s the same rule for all.

“Under FIFA rules players are supposed to come in on the 24th. The clubs want them to play on Boxing Day so there’s probably 12 or 13 that will get 90 minutes with their clubs that day then come straight into camp. We’re happy with that.”

Arnold’s final squad is pretty much what was expected. Perth Glory attacker Chris Ikonomidis is one whose outstanding A-League form sees him come from the clouds to earn selection.

The Socceroos are confident Aaron Mooy will overcome a knee injury. Picture: Getty Images

Back in Australia after a three-year stint in Europe, he has made the most of his chances, having been a major influence in Perth’s unbeaten start to the season that sees them top of the table after eight rounds.

“He’s performed. (Coach) Tony Popovic has done a fantastic job with Chris, got him fit and playing in a role that suits him and suits our style,” Arnold said. “If you look right across our front line there’s eight players who can make a difference in a one v one. They can create overloads and they’re quick. The need for speed is up front and I’m very excited about the front line.”

The interesting omission is that of striker Tomi Juric, who played such an important role in Australia’s win against South Korea in the Cup final on home soil in 2015.

Juric played in the two friendlies against South Korea and Lebanon last month, but failed to impress.

“I had a great conversation with Tomi on the phone yesterday. He understands that he needs to be playing club football,” Arnold added. “Of course he’s disappointed, but I’d rather focus on the ones who are going and who will make a difference for us.”