Socceroos defender Harry Souttar received cruel news with an Achilles injury ending his season for Sheffield United in a major blow for the Socceroos’ automatic World Cup qualification hopes.
Souttar sustained the injury on Boxing Day in Sheffield United’s 2-0 loss to Burnley, limping out of the game.
United boss Chris Wilder confirmed the news: “Harry Souttar goes back to Leicester now, he’s snapped his achilles and is out for the season so that’s a big blow for us.
“He’s been amazing, his partnership with Anel [Ahmedhodzic] and with Jack [Robinson] as well. He’s been outstanding and is a great personality to work with, a great character.
“I’m devastated for him. He loved it here and he’s absolutely gutted. I spoke to him the day after Boxing Day, but we have to get on with it and show what we’re all about.”
Souttar’s injury is a major blow to United’s promotion hopes, drawing 1-1 with West Brom and then losing 2-1 to Sunderland in recent days.
Chris Wilder has confirmed that @harryjsouttar suffered a serious achilles injury in the defeat to Burnley.
Wishing you all the best in your recovery, Soutts. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/vRj7ZKCD9X
— Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) December 29, 2024
In the Premier League, Cameron Burgess has missed Ipswich Town’s past two games, dropping out of the matchday squad.
In his absence, Ipswich recorded a breakthrough 2-0 home win over Chelsea and only went down 1-0 to Arsenal.
Elsewhere in the Championship, Tom Glover is enjoying a rare stint as Middlesbrough’s number one, following injuries to his two rival goalkeepers.
Glover has played three straight games, including a 0-0 draw with title hopefuls Burnley and a last-gasp 1-0 win at Hull City on Wednesday which shot Boro into the top six.
The Aussie has got his opportunity with Sol Brynn out with a shoulder injury for three months and Seny Dieng with a more short-term hip flexor injury.
Boro boss Michael Carrick said: “Tom has an opportunity. He’s trained unbelievably well every day. His attitude has been phenomenal; as good as you could hope for. He’s not had many opportunities, but football throws up funny things.
“Four or five weeks ago, he was number three, now he’s in the team. I’m delighted with the way he’s dealt with that. He’s always travelled [to away games as a reserve] and been an unbelievable support to everyone. But now he finds himself in, and that’s how football goes.”
Riley McGree played both of those games this week, including starting and playing 69 minutes against the Tigers.
Sam Silvera was an unused sub on Wednesday as Portsmouth won 4-0 over Swansea, while Callum Elder played the second half of Derby’s 4-2 loss at Sheffield Wednesday.
In League One, Aussie goalkeeper Nicholas Bilokapic (Peterborough), Ash Maynard-Brewer (Charlton) and Jacob Chapman (Huddersfield) have all remained first choice over the festive period.
Chapman’s Huddersfield are in the promotion mix in fourth, fuelled by a13-game unbeaten run in the league where they’ve only conceded eight goals.
Keanu Baccus got two assists last week for Mansfield Town in a 3-0 win over Peterborough.
In Scotland’s Premiership, Nectar Triantis scored the winner in Hibernian’s 1-0 victory over Kilmarnock on Sunday with a header from a corner.
Aussies Triantis, Jack Iredale, Lewis Miller and Martin Boyle all started the game for Hibs.
Apostolos Stamatelopoulos also got on the scoresheet, opening the scoring in Motherwell’s 2-2 draw with Rangers.
Stamatelopoulos poked home from a long ball to put ‘Well up 1-0 in the 16th minute. He was replaced at half-time before Rangers hit back with two second-half goals to claim a draw.
Josh Nisbet also scored in Scotland on Sunday, netting a 97th minute goal before a last-gasp equalizer for Ross County in a 2-2 draw with Hearts.
Kye Rowles was the only Aussie in action for Hearts, putting in a full shift.
