Luongo and Metcalfe have removed themselves from the Socceroos squad due to injury.
Though both players currently find themselves in top European Leagues, they have only infrequently featured in their teams respective campaigns so it is unlikely that the injuries have been listed to protect their club’s ambitions.
They have been replaced by Luke Brattan and Patrick Yazbek who have been featuring more frequently at their clubs and bring with them more recent playing form.
Both Luongo and Metcalfe were considered likely to feature on the pitch in the upcoming fixtures so their absence will be a blow to Australia’s qualification hopes.
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