Socceroos star Riley McGree injured in final match before World Cup
The Socceroos have potentially been dealt a devastating blow, with key midfielder Riley McGree injured in his final club appearance before the FIFA World Cup campaign.
Playing for Middlesbrough in the Championship playoff final against Hull City, McGree went down with what looked like a serious hamstring injury in the 76th minute.
The Aussie ended up on the turf with his head in his hands as he clearly comprehended the timing of the injury.
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Riley McGree suffered what appears to be a hamstring injury. Getty
If picked in the Socceroos' World Cup squad, he will have until June 13 to prove his fitness for Australia's first match of the tournament against Türkiye in Vancouver.
The Socceroos are yet to officially name their squad for the World Cup, though McGree was a certainty for Tony Popovic's side given his recent form.
They will be sweating on the results of the 27-year-old's scans as they likely scramble to shuffle the squad around the blow.
It was a tough day for McGree, with Middlesbrough failing to earn Premier League promotion after going down 1-0 to Hull at Wembley.
A 94th-minute winner from Oli McBurnie sealed their fate.
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McGree's season would have been over a week ago given they were initially eliminated by Southampton in the semi-final, but they were reinstated after the team was found to be filming opposition training sessions, in a bizarre twist.
The domino effect of that mess has now cost the Socceroos dearly.
He has made 29 appearances and scored five goals for Middlesbrough this season.
The Socceroos will name a 26-player squad for the World Cup on June 1.
McGree was set to meet up with the Australian team following this game.
