Socceroos defender Milos Degenek forced out of World Cup qualifiers after testing positive to Covid-19

The Socceroos have sent an SOS to England for a new defender after a positive Covid test ahead of crucial World Cup qualifiers.

Australian defender Milos Degenek has tested positive to Covid-19 in Serbia. Picture: Karim Sahib / AFP

The Socceroos have suffered another Covid-19 interruption in their preparation for Friday’s World Cup qualifier in Doha after defender Milos Degenek returned a positive test for the virus.

Degenek, who plays for Red Star Belgrade in Serbia, is asymptomatic but returned a positive test in his pre-departure screening before he linked up with the squad.

He has been ruled out of the upcoming FIFA international window which for the Socceroos includes two World Cup qualifiers against Oman on Friday and Japan next Tuesday.

Degenek is the second Socceroos defender in the space of a week to fall victim to Covid after Seattle Sounders left back Brad Smith was excluded from the squad last week after testing positive to the virus.

Coach Graham Arnold has called up Sunderland defender Bailey Wright to join his 25-man squad.

Fifteen of Australia’s 25-player squad for the Socceroos’ third and fourth World Cup qualifiers have now arrived in Doha, with the remaining 10 squad members set to arrive in Qatar on Tuesday.

The arrivals include Denis Genreau, the former Macarthur FC midfielder who joined French second division club Toulouse after representing the Olyroos at the Tokyo Olympics.

“I’ve already learnt a lot and grown a lot as a player ... even though it’s only been two months,” Genreau said.

“It’s that winning mentality that you have to win at all costs because there is promotion and relegation.”

For Genreau, winning “at all costs” has included a facial injury that will require him to wear a mouth guard while playing for the next three months after his teeth were damaged in a recent match,

“My teeth got caved in ... so it’s not fun. It’s not fun to eat either,” he said.

“For a few days (I could only eat) soft foods because I couldn’t chew, (and) still now I have to chew on the side.

“It happened at the start of the game as well, and I was trying to close my mouth during the game, and I couldn’t close it because the teeth were blocking it.

“It’s been straightened back, and they’ve put glue over it. You keep the glue there for three months and see if the teeth survive because there’s a big chance that they’ll die and I’ll have to take them out and put new ones in.”

Bailey Wright has been called up to the Socceroos. Picture: Michael Dodge/Getty Images

But it’s a sacrifice Genreau is willing to make as he strives for a permanent spot in Australia’s starting 11.

“That’s definitely the goal for me. The (2022) World Cup is coming up and that’s a massive goal for all the Australian players,” he said.

Australia’s “home” clash against Oman – which had been scheduled for Sydney before travel restrictions and quarantine requirements forced it to be moved abroad – will be followed by another Group B qualifier next Tuesday night against Japan in Saitama.

FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 – AFC Asian qualifiers (third round)

Matchday 3: Australia v Oman

Friday, October 8

Khalifa International Stadium, Doha, Qatar

Kick-off: 5.30am AEDT

Broadcast: Live on 10 and 10 Play – pre-game coverage from 5am (AEDT)

Matchday 4: Japan v Australia

Tuesday, October 12

Saitama Stadium, Saitama, Japan

Kick-off: 9.14pm (AEDT)

Broadcast: Live on 10 Bold and 10 Play – pre-game coverage from 8.30pm (AEDT)