Arnold Backs Souttar's Comeback Quest in Socceroos Clash with Mexico

 Arnold Backs Souttar's Comeback Quest in Socceroos Clash with Mexico

Arnold Backs Souttar's Comeback Quest in Socceroos Clash with Mexico(Image-Getty)

Australia's coach, Graham Arnold, has offered his support and encouragement to central defender Harry Souttar, emphasizing the upcoming Socceroos' match against Mexico in Dallas as a chance for Souttar to rejuvenate his club career, which has recently suffered a setback at Leicester City.

Souttar notably showcased his skills during Australia's journey to the knockout rounds of the World Cup in Qatar last year. However, since Leicester's relegation from the Premier League at the close of the previous season, he has not had the opportunity to play under new manager Enzo Maresca.

Despite the challenges he faces in club football, the 24-year-old remains an integral part of Arnold's squad as they prepare for the Asian Cup in January. He is anticipated to start alongside debutant Cameron Burgess in the upcoming match.

Arnold's message to Souttar is clear: "This is your stage." The coach urges him to use this game as a platform to impress his Leicester coach, question why he's not in the starting lineup, and demonstrate his true abilities to the fans. Arnold acknowledges Souttar's dedication and strong work ethic at Leicester, emphasizing the player's determination to showcase his talents on a global stage.

The upcoming game is part of a series of high-profile friendlies for the Australian team. They previously faced World Cup champions Argentina in Beijing in June and have a match scheduled against England at Wembley in October.

However, Arnold's squad will be without Mathew Leckie, who sustained an injury during training, ruling him out for at least six weeks. Arnold expressed his regret over the incident and assured that the player's health was the top priority, emphasizing that it was an accidental occurrence during training and not intentional in any way.