Socceroos coach Tony Popovic lifts lid on Italian job as Cristian Volpato mulls switch from Italy for World Cup

Socceroos coach Tony Popovic has revealed the circumstances behind his trip to Italy watching Cristian Volpato's team Sassuolo play as a waiting game continues over his international allegiance.

Volpato is currently an Italy player, having played at a youth level but never for the senior team. He was born and raised in Sydney but moved overseas during his teens.

Popovic and assistant Paul Okon were spotted in February at Sassuolo's 3-0 win over Hellas Verona with Volpato not coming on from the bench.

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Speaking on Stan Sport's Added Time, Popovic clarified and explained exactly where Volpato's eligibility sits.

"Cristian, like a lot of these young boys that have had this dual (eligibility) decision to make, I respect that, we don't put pressure on them in that regard, I've been in now for 15-odd months, haven't spoken to Cristian prior to this last month that I was in Europe," he said.

"Paolo's (Paul Okon) constantly been in contact with him, just seeing how he's going.

"Paolo's been talking to him regularly and for the first time he indicated that he would be interested to play for Australia.

"... And once he said that, I said 'OK well if that's the case then I'll come and and visit you and have a chat'.

"Prior to that he was constantly just Italy, and that's where it's at.

"We had a good discussion about our plans, where we see the future, where we see him, if he decides to come that way, and we've just left it in his court."

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Popovic clarified that in order to pick Volpato for the Socceroos' March friendlies, he would need to indicate fully that he wants to play for Australia.

"Then we'll consider it if that's now, if that's in the future, if that's after the World Cup, if he does then he'll join the list of 50-odd players and then the next step would be about selection," he said.

After talking to Stan Sport, Popovic then raced across to Football Australia's Moore Park headquarters for a roundtable interview with journalists.

The Socceroos coach was asked about Volpato again, but in the context of his previous comments that he doesn't want to "sell the jersey" to anyone.

"Nothing's changed from us, we're not selling the shirt to anyone," he said.

"Paolo's been in touch with him regularly since we started in October, and the coaches are doing that with all the players. And on this occasion he indicated he'd be interested in a discussion about playing for Australia ... he has potential, and now that he's indicated he's open to the idea, the rest is just for him to decide."

Popovic added there was no ultimatums or pressure to make a decision.

INJURY TOLL MOUNTING

At the roundtable interview, Popovic was asked about the injuries of a number of players.

Lewis Miller is the only current Socceroo who has been ruled out of the World Cup with an Achilles injury while Mo Toure also recently injured his groin.

Jackson Irvine has returned from his re-occurring foot injury and is starting to look like his usual self while Popovic also revealed Kusini Yengi has been hit by a setback and will be out for two to three months with a quad injury.

In terms of Irvine, Popovic explained there was a period where he thought he'd be without the inspirational midfielder for the World Cup.

"He's playing and playing well. And [St Pauli] have been on a wonderful run since he's been back in the team. It will be an ongoing issue, the foot, that he'll have to manage in the short term. And we'll have to see whether that can be managed all the way through to the World Cup," he said.

"Obviously, selfishly for us, we hope he can. He's a wonderful player and leader, which he's showing for his club side at the moment. We'd love to have him with the World Cup. But we also know that with that injury, it can turn quickly. He's experienced, so he knows how to manage his body, and he's doing a really good job at that.

"Basically, with him, it's day by day, week by week. In January, I thought he was out of the World Cup. Last month, I still felt the same. And now we're at this stage, we're getting to March, and he's still fit, healthy, playing really well. Hopefully, that can continue."

Harry Souttar is the other concern for Popovic. Souttar tore his Achilles late in 2024 before another setback in January with his knee ruled him out again.

Popovic confirmed Souttar has returned to the training pitch for Leicester but is yet to feature for the club. The Socceroos coach also said assistant coach Mile Jedinak had continued to be in contact with the centre back and paid him a visit.

"He's on the pitch now with the team, so that's progress," Popovic said.

"They're (Leicester) in a difficult situation fighting relegation at the moment, there's a new manager, so hopefully Harry can get some game time soon.

"... He's back training with the team now. I believe it's his second week that is full contact, full training. How that looks for him at Leicester? I don't know. In terms of his coach [Gary Rowett], does he feel that he's ready to step in, in the situation that Leicester is in? We hope he does, because we want him to play. I'm sure he can see that he's a quality footballer. I've got no doubt he can see that. It's just whether he believes that he's ready to help the team now, or whether he needs to wait.

"Of course, we'd love him to play some games for his own confidence, for his own well-being, to feel like 'I've been out for over 15 months and I'm back playing at this level.'

"It can only help us, the Socceroos, coming into that main training camp."

Watch Socceroos coach Tony Popovic's exclusive, in-depth interview with Added Time's Adam Peacock, Craig Foster and Mark Bosnich on Stan Sport