Harry Kewell is a major injury doubt for the World Cup according to Johan Neeskens who is the assistant coach at Galatasaray
The announcement comes just days before Australia coach Pim Verbeek names his preliminary squad .
Kewell is reported to have re-injured the groin which he had surgery on in January and is set to miss the Turkish side’s final two games of the season.
The 31-year-old had only just returned after four months on the sidelines, but just two days after his come back he broke down again – casting a major doubt over his participation in South Africa.
“Right now, I think it’s going to be very difficult,” said Galatasaray assistant coach Johan Neeskens.
“Stage by stage he got better but then he fell back again. He decided to stop training and receive treatment. But sometimes after three or four days, if he stops treatment and starts training again, it comes back again.
“He started again with the team a week ago but now in the second week he got some pain and didn’t feel at ease. On Tuesday, he stopped again and couldn’t continue the work because it’s too painful.
“I don’t know if he actually is going to make the World Cup at this rate. First of all it’s up to himself and the doctors in Australia. If he cannot take part, it’s a big loss for Australia.”
Verbeek will name a 30-man preliminary team on Tuesday with a final 23-man group to be revealed on 1st June.
The former Leeds and Liverpool man is expected to be included in the initial party, but his latest injury setback may mean Verbeek will have to leave him out of the final squad.
Australia face a tough Group D alongside Germany, Serbia and Ghana and will step up preparations in a friendly against New Zealand in Melbourne on 24th May.
The Socceroos are 7/1 to top Group D, with Germany fancied at 4/5.
Verbeek’s side will also face Denmark and the United States in Roodepoort at the start of June before their World Cup opener against Germany in Durban on 13th June.
Australia can be backed at 6/1 to win their first match in South Africa, with Germany at 8/15 on the Full Time Result market and the draw 14/5.
To find out the latest and best world cup bets then head on over to www.bestworldcupbets.co.uk