Hamstrung Jedinak in doubt for Socceroos' World Cup qualifiers

Australia captain Mile Jedinak could miss the Socceroos’ FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Bangladesh and Tajikistan after injuring his hamstring in a League Cup clash for Crystal Palace.

Mile Jedinak receives treatment with the early prognosis not very positive (Getty Images) Source: Getty Images Europe

Jedinak, who made his first start for the Eagles this season, came off in the 52nd minute aganst Shrewsbury Town to be replaced by Jordan Mutch, and boss Alan Pardew admitted he was concerned for the 31-year-old Australian midfielder.

"I'm a little bit worried about the skipper, he might have done a hamstring, but we'll have to wait and see," Pardew said, adding that Jedinak was unlikely to feature in the Palace’s next Premier League fixture against defending champion Chelsea at the weekend.

"We think he might have done something a little bit long term, but we'll have to assess him in the morning."

With the Socceroos scheduled to play Bangladesh in Perth next Thursday, 3 September, and Tajikistan away from home on 8 September, Jedinak could also be a big doubt for Australia coach Ange Postecoglou as he starts out on the road to Russia 2018.

Any fitness problem would come as a blow to Jedinak, who has found himself out of the Palace first team early in the Premier League season after the arrival of France international Yohan Cabaye from Paris Saint-Germain.

Palace was level at 1-1 in its League Cup Round 2 clash against the Shrews, with the League Two side holding on to force extra-time having gone ahead in the ninth minute.

But the Eagles showed their class in the additional period, scoring three times to take the tie 4-1.

Pardew’s men will meet fierce rival Charlton Athletic in the next round at Selhurst Park.