Team medical boss Dr Mark Jones was spotted talking to coach Popovic and assistant Hayden Foxe prior to training, where the media is allowed to watch the first 15 minutes. <\/p>\n
\u201cNo, I actually don\u2019t (know), it was during training I noticed he wasn\u2019t in there,\u201d said Jordan Bos, another player indispensable in the XI, who addressed the media after training. <\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know why he wasn\u2019t (there).\u201d<\/p>\n
He continued: \u201cHe\u2019s a big asset to us, been doing really well for his new club, scoring goals, his power and everything about him \u2013 great asset for us.\u201d <\/p>\n
Popovic has already lost first XI locks Riley McGree and Lewis Miller over the course of the last six months, so will be sweating on Toure\u2019s availability. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe have other players as well that can play striker, but to have Mo is really nice for us,\u201d Bos added. <\/p>\n
The most obvious alternative is Tete Yengi, who scored on his debut against Switzerland on the weekend, but offers a different style of striker to the speedy, electric Toure, while Mathew Leckie and Nestory Irankunda are other players Popovic has mentioned as options in a central role. Irankunda was used there during the March window.<\/p>\n
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Nestory Irankunda and Mohamed Toure get to work. <\/p>\n
Irankunda was deployed up top in the March FIFA Series in Toure\u2019s absence, while Popovic has praised Leckie\u2019s versatility as well. <\/p>\n
Speaking during March, where he came on against Cameroon and Curacao in a central role as part of Popovic\u2019s World Cup planning, Irankunda explained: \u201cI\u2019ve played up front with Watford for a bit the last few months\u2026 it was a bit different being the lone striker but wherever the boss wants me to play, I\u2019m going to play there.<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, I feel like I can do it. Obviously Mo (Toure) is out, and there\u2019s no real option, so\u2026 it just felt good to be able to get minutes out there today and play in front of a huge crowd.\u201d<\/p>\n
He added: \u201cI\u2019m not a huge fan of running in behind \u2026 obviously I\u2019ve got the speed to run in behind. So I have to use my pace a lot more.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI feel like I haven\u2019t really done that in the last few seasons I\u2019ve played as a professional. And to go out there today and be able to do it was really exciting for me.\u201d<\/p>\n
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As for Leckie, Popovic said after the squad was finally selected: \u201cI think the luxury of Mathew Leckie is that he can play anywhere. He has the experience and maturity that you don\u2019t need a week or two of training in a position with him. You can basically show him a video and he would know what to do.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s a luxury of having someone with his quality. Last time was the first time he played as a 10 with us, but so he knows the position. It was tough in the first half, but not just for him personally. I think it was just tough in terms of us retaining the ball, but you know, he was part of the first 20 minutes in the second half that was really strong.<\/p>\n \u201cSo it was pleasing that he could have a 15 minute break, cool down and then actually pick up and do much better in the second half\u2026That\u2019s I think more the quality and experience of not being overawed or flustered by a poor first half, that he can turn the switch and go again and do better. So we need that experience wherever that is on the field, I\u2019m sure he\u2019ll make an impact, regardless of where it is.<\/p>\n More reading<\/p>\n Football360\u2019s unbeatable World Cup line-up as we ramp up in the US ready to write Socceroos\u2019 next chapter<\/a><\/p>\n The World Cup draw in AEST plus print your all important World Cup WALL CHART here!<\/a><\/p>\n How you prepare for a World Cup: Inside the \u2018insane\u2019 detail of the longest build-up of any nation in USA<\/a><\/p>\n Preparing like pilots: The \u2018massive checklist\u2019 that chose Socceroos\u2019 World Cup home & sparked \u2018profound\u2019 experience<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0Complete guide to World Cup 2026: Group previews, biggest names<\/a><\/p>\n Your Next Read<\/p>\n
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