Bozanic facing World Cup heartbreak

AUSTRALIAN midfielder Oliver Bozanic looks set to miss next month's Under-20 World Cup in Egypt.

Bozanic sustained a knee injury playing for Cheltenham Town against Bradford City in last Saturday's 5-4 defeat.

He has returned to parent club Reading for treatment, but the 20-year-old is not expected to be fit for the young Socceroos opening fixture against the Czech Republic on Sunday, September 27.

Bozanic has strained a medial knee ligament, a similar injury to his Robins colleague Michael Pook, who has been ruled out for a month after picking up his injury against Hereford United on August 15.

After their opening test, Australian face Costa Rica on Wednesday, September 30 before their final group match against Brazil on Saturday, October 3.

Head coach Jan Versleijen earlier this week revealed his preliminary squad of 30 players shortlisted to make the trip to North Africa.

Included in the squad are 21-players from the Hyundai A-League, with six players from the Sydney FC ranks, five from Brisbane Roar, four from the Newcastle Jets, two each from Gold Coast United and Adelaide United with individuals from the Central Coast Mariners and Melbourne Victory.

Bozanic is one of nine overseas-based players named and the final squad of 21 players will be drawn from the preliminary list and set to be announced in Sydney on September 8.

Australia qualified for the tournament after progressing to the semi-finals of the Asian U-19 Youth Championships in Saudi Arabia last year.

The final Qantas Young Socceroos squad will depart on Monday, September 14 for their final pre-tournament training camp in Cyprus where they will play friendly matches against the Trinidad & Tobago, England and USA,before travelling to their base in Port Said, Egypt ahead of the tournament.