Double blow for Socceroos

Australia have lost Premier League stars Tim Cahill and Mark Schwarzer from next week’s World Cup qualifier against Oman.

Cahill has been struggling with an ankle injury and aggravated it further in Everton’s loss to Liverpool on Saturday, while Schwarzer re-injured his back during the warm-up for Fulham’s match against QPR on Sunday.

“Tim played through the pain barrier on Saturday against Liverpool but the scan showed that the best course of action now is rest and rehab,” Everton head of medicine Danny Donachie told the club’s official website.

“Tim is disappointed but it is a straight-forward decision because he would not be fit enough to play in the games in Australia.”

The double blow means the Socceroos will be without Cahill and Schwarzer for Friday night’s friendly against Malaysia in Canberra and Tuesday’s Asian qualifier against Oman.

Nathan Coe has been added to the squad as cover for Schwarzer with Reading’s Adam Federici likely to start both matches.

No replacement has been named for Cahill yet.

Also missing from the side is Brett Emerton and Harry Kewell, who will feature in a blockbuster opening to the A-League season for Sydney and Melbourne respectively.