Gethin Jones has been cleared of any major damage to his groin after a scare while on international duty with Australia.
The Bolton vice-captain was forced off during the 4-0 win against Indonesia and manager Graham Arnold revealed he had gone straight to hospital for a scan.
Thankfully, the scan came back all clear and Jones should be available for the quarter-final against Saudi Arabia or South Korea.
"All clear," he said. "Just a bit of fatigue. This is new to me, a different kind of competition from what I am used to at the club level.
“Definitely (be ready for Friday). The group has been doing really well, working hard in training every single day and now we just need to look forward to who we get after they play tomorrow night."
Jones was named in the starting line-up against Indonesia and assisted Martin Boyle’s goal with a pinpoint cross.
The Socceroos ran out 4-0 winners, with Craig Goodwin and Harry Souttar also getting on the scoresheet as well as an Elkan Baggott own goal.
After the final whistle, Arnold said: “I think you have got to give credit to Indonesia, they made it tough for us. They are very big and strong, and it was a tough game.
“But the quality we have up front came through, and the stuff we have been working on in training with the attacking combinations. Our boys are probably starting to believe more and more in it, they are working.”
He added: “Asian football has come along leaps and bounds, and we expected that. We said to the boys – ‘be ready for a fight, be ready for a physical battle because that is what Indonesia are going to bring’.
“We can probably do better in every aspect, and I will do a review tonight or tomorrow morning to review what we can do better because we always want to be positive with things.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel