McDonald to sit out Bahrain clash
18/11/2008 6:14 PM
Striker Scott McDonald has been ruled out the Socceroos' World Cup qualifier against Bahrain in Manama on Thursday morning due to a chest infection.
The prolific goal scorer wasn't able to play for his club Celtic in the Scottish Premier League on the weekend and the Australian coaching and medical staff decided to allow him to fully recover from his illness.
McDonald will now join Brett Emerton, Vince Grella, Craig Moore, Matthew Spiranovic and Mark Milligan on the sidelines.
The loss of McDonald also comes after superstar Tim Cahill admitted he will play through the pain barrier due to a heel injury sustained in Everton's draw with West Ham in the English Premier League on the weekend.
Australia currently sits two points clear on top of Group A with an unblemished record in the fourth round of Asian Football Confederation 2010 World Cup qualifiers and a win against Bahrain would further strengthen its chances of featuring in football's showpiece event in South Africa in two years' time.