Aussies abroad update

Socceroos stars Mathew Leckie, Tommy Oar and Mat Ryan continued to catch the eye over the weekend, but there may be an injury scare for Trent Sainsbury ahead of the Belgium friendly later this week.

Leckie warmed up for this week’s clash with Belgium with another superb showing in Germany’s Bundesliga 2, setting up Lukas Hinterseer’s goal in FC Ingolstadt’s 3-0 win over SV Sandhausen.

There was defeat for Oar’s FC Utrecht but the winger contributed another assist – his third in two games – in their 3-1 defeat to SC Heerenveen.

Sainsbury was forced off at half-time of PEC Zwolle’s 3-1 loss to NAC Breda and it’s still unclear if the defender picked up an injury, which would be a blow with the Belgium match just four days away.

The hosts have already been dealt a blow themselves with Eden Hazard and Romelu Lukaku ruled out of squad, replaced by their siblings Thorgan Hazard & Jordan Lukaku.

Luke Wilkshire got another 90 minutes under his belt as Feyenoord were held to a 0-0 draw away at FC Twente.

Ryan was involved in a huge clash in Belgium, with his Club Brugge side coming from 2-0 down to snatch a 2-2 draw with giants Anderlecht.

Forgotten Socceroos striker Scott McDonald sent a gentle reminder to Ange Postecoglou his international days may not be up with a goal and assist for Millwall in the English Championship.

McDonald, who manager Ian Holloway says is in  his best form since he was at Celtic, struck on 33 minutes to send the Lions on their way to victory.

Elsewhere, Adam Federici kept a clean sheet as Reading beat Middlesbrough 1-0, with fellow Aussie Ryan Edwards setting up the match-winner.

Jason Davidson’s first EPL start for West Brom was an unhappy one as they were beaten 3-0 at Swansea, while Mile Jedinak got through 90 minutes in Crystal Palace’s 3-3 draw with Newcastle.

Massimo Luongo and Brad Smith also played full matches as Swindon Town drew 1-1 with Coventry City, as did Neil Kilkenny for Preston North End, where Bailey Wright was an unused substitute.

James Holland was unable to help Austria Wien to a win as they went down 2-1 to Admira, while Aziz Behich played a full game as Bursaspor lost 2-0 at home to Galatasaray.