Socceroos' Mile Jedinak suffers injury in World Cup run-up

Mile Jedinak was injured during Crystal Palace's final game of the Premier League season. Photograph: Alan Walter/Action Images

The Socceroos' World Cup preparations have suffered an early blow, with skipper Mile Jedinak injuring his groin on the final day of the Premier League season.

Jedinak appeared in pain when he limped off 59 minutes into Crystal Palace's 2-2 draw with Fulham at Craven Cottage. The midfielder is set to have scans on the injury this week, but some reports suggest he could be out of action for two weeks.

That would rule him out of Australia's friendly against South Africa in Sydney on 26 May – their last match before heading to Brazil.

Jedinak's substitution meant he fell short of completing every single minute of Crystal Palace's Premier League season.

The 29-year-old, who wore the captain's armband in the Socceroos' most recent match against Ecuador in March, is the favourite to lead the Socceroos in Brazil after incumbent skipper Lucas Neil was ruled out.

The Socceroos coach, Ange Postecoglou, will name Australia's 30-man preliminary squad for the World Cup on Wednesday.

read more : http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/may/12/socceroos-mile-jedinak-world-cup-injury