New injury concern for Caltex Socceroos skipper

Caltex Socceroos captain Mile Jedinak has been dealt a fresh injury blow on the eve of the FIFA World Cup draw.

Jedinak's club side Aston Villa revealed the midfielder is suffering from a shoulder knock which is expected to sideline him for at least six weeks.

The injury is unrelated to the groin complaint from which he triumphantly returned in the intercontinental play-off victory against Honduras.

Jedinak hurt his shoulder early in Villa's win over Ipswich last weekend and, after consulting a specialist, was informed he may require an operation.

"He’s been advised to rest and see how it is in the next week to see if it starts to heal itself," Villa boss Steve Bruce told the club's official website.

"If it does, we can let nature takes its course and it could be six weeks then.

"If it doesn't, then there will be an operation which will probably take the best part of 12 weeks. 

"We hope the specialist is right and rest is sufficient. Then we could see him back in January."

Barring further setbacks, even a three month layoff would still give Jedinak time to recover fitness over the back end of the Championship season as he aims to compete at a third World Cup.

Australia will learn its group stage opponents when the draw is held in Moscow early Saturday morning (AEDT).