Mooy injury gives Arnold a huge headache for Asian Cup

Socceroos coach Graham Arnold could be defending the Asian Cup without star midfielder Aaron Mooy.

Australia’s Aaron Mooy injured his knee playing for Huddersfield

Socceroos coach Graham Arnold could be facing the toughest decision of his tenure following news key midfielder Aaron Mooy has suffered a knee injury that could sideline him for up to six weeks.

As revealed exclusively online by The Australian yesterday morning, Mooy suffered medial ligament damage during Huddersfield’s 1-0 loss to Arsenal on Sunday morning.

While he continued to play because Huddersfield had used up all three substitutes, scans after the match showed the extent of the injury with the early diagnosis suggesting he would miss between four and six weeks.

It has put him in danger of missing out on Australia’s Asian Cup defence, which kicks off in just 26 days time with their opening Group B match against Jordan in Al Ain in the UAE on January 6.

This comes on top of reports that attacker Tom Rogic is also struggling with a knee issue and is unlikely to be at full fitness for the tournament.

Mooy and Rogic are key members of the Socceroos starting XI and their absence would provide a huge headache for Arnold.

With Arnold expected to name his 23-man squad some time next week, he will have to quickly assess the situation.

There is a possibility he could still name Mooy in the squad and give him every chance to be fit. But it is unlikely the 28-year-old, who has been in superb form in the English Premier League, would be ready in time for the group matches. Instead, Arnold could have him in the squad in the hope he will be available for the knockout stage of the Asian Cup.

It would be a massive gamble. Once he has named his 23-man squad and the tournament has started he is unable to bring in a replacement should Mooy not recover in time.

The best case scenario for Mooy is that a four week lay-off would have him ready for the round of 16 match either on January 20 or 21.

The worst case scenario is it runs its full course of six weeks and he misses out altogether.

While not great, the news regarding Celtic star Rogic is better. He has been playing with a niggling knee issue for most of the season and it hasn’t affected his form, though it has limited his game time. The word is that he will see out the season then undergo an operation.

In the meantime Celtic have been managing his training and game workload and that is something Arnold will obviously have to look at in the best interests of the player. Arnold has formed a good working relationship with the various club managers.

The injury to Mooy has opened the door for a number of players to press their claims for inclusion in the Asian Cup squad.

They include Melbourne Victory duo Terry Antonis and James Troisi, overseas-based James Jeggo, Sydney FC duo Brandon O’Neill and Josh Brillante and Melbourne City’s Riley McGree and Luke Brattan could also come into the picture.

Antonis and Troisi are in terrific form in the A-League and have played a huge part in the club’s run of five successive wins this season.

Both were in the squad that won the Asian Cup on home soil in 2015 with Troisi turning out to be the hero after scoring the goal in extra time that helped beat South Korea 2-1 in the final at ANZ Stadium