Australia’s winger Brandon Borrello will not be able to participate in the Asian Cup early next year due to a broken foot, as confirmed by his club side Western Sydney Wanderers on Wednesday.
Borrello sustained the injury after being fouled by Luke Brattan of Sydney FC during the A-League derby over the weekend. He is expected to be out of action for three months, according to the team.
The Asian Cup, which will be hosted by Qatar, is set to commence on January 12. Australia, the 2015 champions, will kick off their campaign against India the next day.
Borrello had been performing well for the Socceroos under coach Graham Arnold, and notably scored a goal against Bangladesh in a recent World Cup qualifier in Melbourne.
The Wanderers expressed their support for Borrello during his surgery and recovery, and they are eager to see him return to the field. (“The entire Western Sydney Wanderers family will be supporting Brandon through his surgery and recovery and look forward to seeing him back at what he does best,” the Wanderers said.)
(Reporting by Ian Ransom in Melbourne; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
