Aussies Abroad: Williams facing lengthy lay-off

Qantas Socceroo Rhys Williams is facing a long spell on the sidelines after scans confirmed he has damaged ankle ligaments.

Qantas Socceroo Rhys Williams is facing a long spell on the sidelines after scans confirmed he has damaged ankle ligaments.

The 24-year-old defender suffered the injury during club side Middlesbrough-s Capital One Cup victory at Gillingham earlier this week.

"He's had scans this morning and he's damaged his ankle ligaments," Middlesbrough boss Tony Mowbray told the club's official website.

"He will now see a specialist to decide if he needs an operation or not."

Williams was not included in Holger Osieck-s recent squad for the friendly against Lebanon and FIFA World Cup qualifier against Jordan, with the national team boss waiting til the last minute to see how his European-based players fared in the midweek games.

The Qantas Socceroos face Lebanon in an international friendly at Beirut-s Sports City Stadium, at 8.30pm local time (3.30am AEST, Friday, 7 September).

Following that, the Qantas Socceroos resume their FIFA World Cup qualification campaign against Jordan in Amman, at 7pm on Tuesday, 11 September (2am AEST, Wednesday, 12 September).

The Qantas Socceroos return to Australia in 2013, for the FIFA World Cup qualifier against Oman at Sydney-s Stadium Australia at 7.30pm, Tuesday, 26 March, followed by Iraq, at 7.30pm on Tuesday, 18 June.

Tickets for both matches at Stadium Australia are on sale now through Ticketek or via phone, 132 849.