Bosnich, Kewell out of Czech match

AUSTRALIA will be without two of its key players, after the late withdrawals of MARK BOSNICH and HARRY KEWELL from the LG Socceroos Squad to take on the Czech Republic later this week.

BOSNICH took a knock to his ankle in Manchester United’s 4-0 victory over Bradford over the weekend, with his Club reluctant to let the goalkeeper travel.

AUSTRALIA will be without two of its key players, after the late withdrawals of MARK BOSNICH and HARRY KEWELL from the LG Socceroos Squad to take on the Czech Republic later this week.

BOSNICH took a knock to his ankle in Manchester United-s 4-0 victory over Bradford over the weekend, with his Club reluctant to let the goalkeeper travel.

“Mark tells me that there-s quite a lot of bruising and that he had trouble walking after the match,” said LG Socceroo Coach FRANK FARINA from the camp-s Teplice headquarters today.

“If he had more time then he might have pulled up, but with the match less than 48 hours away, he honestly doesn-t feel he could play.

“Naturally I-m very disappointed at losing my number one keeper, but I accept what he-s told me, and that-s just the way it is.”

Meantime FARINA has put KEWELL out of his Squad as he is concerned for the player-s well being after an exhausting schedule of 10 games in 21 days.

“Basically, I-ve taken the decision away from him and told him he-s not required for this game.”

“I-ve spoken to him at length over the past couple of days, we-ve spoken about the pressure of his League and UEFA Cup commitments, and he is physically and mentally drained.

“I really don-t believe it would be in anyone-s best interests, be it Harry-s, or the team-s for him to be here while he-s feeling like this, and not 100% available to us both mentally and physically, so I-ve told him to stay in England.”

“Harry was prepared to travel, but I don-t want what happened in Hungary, where he made himself available but was not fully fit, and therefore could only give us 45 minutes, to happen again.

Farina is also aware of current speculation involving Kewell and his international future, but doesn-t believe that there is an issue.

“I-ve asked Harry about those stories, and as far as he-s concerned, there is absolutely no foundation to the rumours, that-s what he-s told me, and if anyone thinks differently, then they-ll have to speak to him about it.”

The Bosnich and Kewell withdrawals come on the back of CRAIG MOORE-s absence from the squad, both Moore and his Rangers team-mate TONY VIDMAR currently sidelined through injury.

The majority of the LG Socceroo Squad has already assembled in Teplice, a notable exception being captain PAUL OKON, who missed his flight and is now expected in tomorrow morning (Czech Time).

FARINA has already called LG Under-23 striker CLAYTON ZANE into the squad as he gears up to take on the world-s number two ranked team, with further additions to be named within the next 24 hours.

SBS Television will carry a full broadcast of the game, with broadcast commencing at 12.45am (AET) Thursday March 30th, live to all centres.