Boost for Socceroos as Jedinak returns
Feb 21, 2017 - 1:44 AM The Socceroos' World Cup qualification campaign has been bolstered by captain Mile Jedinak's recovery from a groin injury to play his first club game in more than a month.Jedinak, 32, started in struggling Aston Villa's English Championship 2-0 loss to Newcastle on Monday (Tuesday AEDT).
He played 71 minutes, earning the praise of coach Steve Bruce in a defensive midfield role.
"He gives our defenders protection, and he's a man in there," Bruce said.
"We have missed that, especially away from home.
"It's the way we played when we went on our run when I first arrived. It was good to see Mile back."
But Jedinak could do little as Newcastle's Yoan Gouffran opened the scoring from close range just before halftime, before a Villa own goal sealed the result.
With fellow Socceroos midfielder Tom Rogic out with injury, Jedinak's fitness will be crucial for Australia's chances in next month's World Cup qualifiers against Iraq and United Arab Emirates.
National coach Ange Postecoglou had previously said Jedinak wouldn't be considered without matches under his belt for Aston Villa, but he now has a month to increase his fitness.
The result against top-ranked Newcastle condemns the Lions to their fifth-straight second-tier league loss as they sit in 17th, six points above the relegation zone.
Their position is made more precarious with striker Scott Hogan carried off on a stretcher near the end of their 10th successive match in all competitions without a win.
Source: AAP
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