Riley McGree's chances of featuring in a second World Cup for Australia are uncertain after the Middlesbrough attacker limped off with a suspected hamstring injury during the Championship playoff final at Wembley on Sunday. The 27-year-old pulled up clutching the back of his leg in the 72nd minute of the 1-0 defeat to Hull City, a result that also ended Boro's promotion hopes.
McGree briefly continued before being substituted, watching from the bench as Hull's Oli McBurnie scored in the 95th minute to seal victory. The injury is a major concern for Socceroos coach Tony Popovic, who relies on McGree's creativity and energy as an inverted winger. McGree, who has 35 caps, featured at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where he assisted Mathew Leckie's winning goal against Denmark.
The extent of the injury will be determined by scans, but even a minor strain could jeopardise his involvement in pre-tournament friendlies against Mexico on 31 May and Switzerland on 7 June. Australia begin their World Cup campaign against Turkey on 14 June, followed by matches against the United States and Paraguay.
McGree had not yet joined the Socceroos' pre-camp in Florida due to Middlesbrough's late playoff involvement, which was reinstated after Southampton were excluded over a spygate scandal. Fellow Australian Sammy Silvera was an unused substitute in the final. Meanwhile, fringe striker Nick D'Agostino has left the pre-camp after suffering a leg injury in training, ending his hopes of a first World Cup appearance.
