Luongo ruled out of Socceroos squad

Midfielder Massimo Luongo has been ruled out of the Socceroos' World Cup qualifiers, with Newcastle playmaker Dimitri Petratos replacing him in Australia's squad.

Luongo, who plays in the Championship in England, has been managing a minor knee injury and pulled up sore after Sheffield Wednesday's game on Saturday.

"Due to the short turnaround between now and Thursday's match, combined with the long-haul flight from Europe, we have decided not to take any risks with him and will bring Dimitri in," coach Graham Arnold said.

The Socceroos play Nepal in Canberra on October 10 then take on Taiwan in Kaohsiung on October 15.

Newcastle have the bye in the opening round of the A-League season and kick off their campaign against the Central Coast Mariners on October 19.