Tiatto Confirmed With Double Fracture Of Jaw

Qantas Socceroo Danny Tiatto will spend his off-season recovering from a double fracture of the jaw, instead of finding a new club.

Qantas Socceroo Danny Tiatto will spend his off-season recovering from a double fracture of the jaw, instead of finding a new club.

Tiatto (pictured) suffered the injury during Australia's 3-1 defeat to Turkey in Sydney on Friday night and spent yesterday (ironically his birthday) in hospital getting his jaw rewired.

He had only been on the pitch for 10 minutes in the second half, when he was accidently struck by Socceroos goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer in the incident that led to Turkey-s third goal.

The nuggety midfielder was to spend the off-season searching for a new club after being released by Manchester City and there was rumours that newly promoted West Bromwich Albion was keen to sign him. The injury may force them to look elsewhere in what would be a huge blow for Tiatto

In the same incident, Schwarzer bruised his hip and is in grave doubt for the second match against Turkey at Melbourne-s Telstra Dome on Monday night. Schwarzer will be given as much time as possible to recover, although in Zeljko Kalac, coach Frank Farina has a very capable replacement.