Cahill and Skoko out of Ghana clash

The Socceroos will go into Tuesday’s clash against Ghana at Loftus Road in London, without key midfielders Tim Cahill and Josip Skoko. Coming in for the pair are defenders Michael Thwaite and Michael Beauchamp.

The Socceroos will go into Tuesday-s clash against Ghana at Loftus Road in London, without key midfielders Tim Cahill and Josip Skoko. Coming in for the pair are defenders Michael Thwaite and Michael Beauchamp.

Cahill was ruled today, after he was injured in a freak accident with Everton teammate Lee Carsley in the first half of their match against Aston Villa. Skoko meanwhile has failed to recover from a hamstring injury, suffered several weeks ago in his first match of the season for Wigan Athletic.

The loss of Cahill is significant, not just for the Socceroos, but also Everton, as he had been their form player and scorer many important goals, as they sit towards the top of the Premiership.

He was carried off on a stretcher and at first glances it looks serious, after both he and Carsley went for the same ball, which Carsley missed and collected Cahill on the knee.

Arnold will also use the match, to bring in several young players that are contenders for the Qantas Under 23 team to train with the team. Aaron Downes (Chesterfield), Trent McClenahan (Hereford United), Neil Kilkenny (Birmingham City), Nick Ward (QPR) and James Troisi (Newcastle United) will all join the squad over the next few days and with some players still yet to play their Sunday matches, they may come into contention for a call up to the squad.