Socceroos coach Graham Arnold has dismissed concerns about the fitness of teenage star Nestory Irankunda ahead of Australia’s FIFA World Cup qualifier against Bahrain on Thursday night.
Irankunda was on Friday named in a 24-strong national squad for next week’s clash on the Gold Coast and the September 10 battle with Indonesia in Jakarta, with overseas players to travel to Australia after completing weekend duties around the world.
However, the 18-year-old winger seemingly sent a midweek scare through the Socceroos camp when he was left screaming in agony and clutching his ankle after being tackled by Joao Palhinha during a training session with their German club Bayern Munich.
He was transported from the training field in a golf-style buggy but was later seen leaving Bayern’s training complex on foot.
“I spoke to him yesterday, it was a surprise to me to see that type of article because Nestory didn’t mention to me any type of injury,” Arnold said in playing down the severity of the issue.
Arnold said he was “excited” about seeing the former Adelaide United star’s improvement when he arrived in camp.
“Training with those types of players (at Bayern), he’s just going to improve, so I’m really excited to see (his progress) … not only physically but technically as well.”
Irankunda is among a host of wingers named by Arnold in a squad that also includes other wide men Awer Mabil, Craig Goodwin, Sammy Silvera and Martin Boyle.
“I have gone for more wingers this time than I did previous times and less number nines (centre-forwards),” Arnold said.
“In these two games especially we’re going to need that type of (wide) player.”
The three centre-forwards selected were Mitch Duke, Kusini Yengi and Adam Taggart, who was one of just two A-League players, along with left-back Aziz Behich, named in the squad.
“Probably they’re not getting selected on form, they’re getting selected on reputation,” Arnold admitted when explaining the decision to choose Perth Glory’s Taggart and Melbourne City’s Behich despite the new A-League season not having started yet.
“I know what great professionals they are and I know what they can bring,” he said.
“Those two players can maybe not be at their best fitness-wise but the adrenaline rush will get them through.”
Among those not selected was Cardiff City midfielder Alex Robertson, who remains eligible for senior football for England, Scotland and Peru despite having played two friendlies for the Socceroos.
“He’s coming back from a very heavy injury. He hadn’t played a game since January, he’s at Cardiff now and he’s started playing, getting some game time and settled into the club and getting match fit,” said Arnold, who added he would be “disappointed” if Robertson chose to represent another nation in the future.
“We’ve had him in other camps and he’s had a bit of game time … I’d be disappointed if he wasn’t lining himself up to play for Australia.”
Socceroos: Keanu Baccus, Aziz Behich, Martin Boyle, Cameron Burgess, Alessandro Circati, Thomas Deng, Cameron Devlin, Mitchell Duke, Joe Gauci, Craig Goodwin, Nestory Irankunda, Jackson Irvine, Paul Izzo, Awer Mabil, Connor Metcalfe, Lewis Miller, Joshua Nisbet, Aiden O’Neill, Kye Rowles, Mat Ryan, Sam Silvera, Harry Souttar, Adam Taggart, Kusini Yengi.