Irankunda in strong Socceroos squad for Cup qualifiers

Socceroos coach Graham Arnold was genuinely baffled by reports of injury to Bayern Munich excitement machine Nestory Irankunda, who is already on the plane home for next week’s World Cup qualifier against Bahrain.

The 18-year-old, on the cusp of a senior debut with the Bundesliga giants, was carted from the training paddock earlier this week after being tackled and falling to the ground in agony.

Reports quickly squashed the prospect of serious injury and Arnold, already on the Gold Coast ahead of Thursday’s first Socceroos game in the city, said the incident didn’t even come up when he chatted to him.

“Spoke to him yesterday, it was a surprise to me to see that type of article because Nestory didn’t mention it to me, any type of injury,” Arnold said.

Arnold told AAP the teenager, who debuted against Bangladesh in June, and scored his first goal via a penalty against Palestine, was already on his way back to Australia ahead of what will be the first time the side has played on the Gold Coast.

“I’m excited to see him,” the coach said.

“He did very well in last camp, I’ve had (assistant) Rene Meulensteen in Europe, he sat down with Nestory for a couple of hours.

“Training with those types of players; he’s just going to improve so I’m really excited to see ... not only physically, but technically as well.”

The Socceroos, who pushed eventual champions Argentina in the round of 16 at the last World Cup, have won all six of their second-round qualifiers.

Long-time captain Mat Ryan has been recalled for games against Bahrain and then Indonesia, in Jakarta on September 10, despite the goalkeeper being unable to secure regular minutes for Serie A club Roma.

Incumbent Joe Gauci (Aston Villa) is in the same boat, with potential debutant Paul Izzo (Randers, Denmark) the only first-choice shot-stopper at his club selected.

“Paul moved overseas, watching all his games and he’s going very, very well,” Arnold said.

“I’ll leave that (decision on who starts in the net) to John Crawley, at the end of the day I have the final say but John’s the expert.

“Maty Ryan, at Roma hasn’t had match minutes but training extremely hard ... Joe Gauci at Aston Villa ... these training sessions are like games.”

Fellow former Adelaide winger Awer Mabil, who is enjoying a club career revival with Swiss club Grasshoppers, while Aiden O’Neill, captaining Belgian top-flight club Standard Liege, also returns after suspension and injury.

Craig Goodwin, in fine form for Al Wehda in the Saudi Pro League, is also back in the fray after injury as one of five wingers in the squad.

Defender Lewis Miller, at Scottish club Hibernian, has also been recalled to the national squad for the first time since the Asian Cup earlier this year.

Only two A-League players – Perth striker Adam Taggart and Melbourne City defender Aziz Behich – have been named in the squad, Arnold admitting they’d been selected on reputation rather than form.

Left-back Jordan Bos and striker Apostolos Stamatelopoulos are both injured while Arnold said Alex Robertson, who could still pledge his allegiance to Peru, Scotland and England, was not included as he continues his recovery from a torn hamstring.

SOCCEROOS SQUAD

Keanu Baccus, Aziz Behich, Martin Boyle, Cameron Burgess, Alessandro Circati, Thomas Deng, Cameron Devlin, Mitchell Duke, Joe Gauci, Craig Goodwin, Nestory Irankunda, Jackson Irvine, Paul Izzo, Awer Mabil, Connor Metcalfe, Lewis Miller, Joshua Nisbet, Aiden O’Neill, Kye Rowles, Mat Ryan, Sam Silvera, Harry Souttar, Adam Taggart, Kusini Yengi.