Socceroos receive major boost as Jackson Irvine returns from injury for St Pauli
Irvine shapes as a key cog in Australia's World Cup plans later this year. (Getty Images: Stuart Franklin)
In short:
Jackson Irvine has made a surprise early return from a foot injury for St Pauli in the Bundesliga.
Irvine came on in the 63rd minute for St Pauli in a scoreless draw against Hamburg.
What's next?
The midfielder's return is welcome news for Socceroos coach Tony Popovic ahead of this year's World Cup.
Socceroos midfielder Jackson Irvine has made a quick return from injury to help struggling St Pauli in the Bundesliga.
In a massive boost for Australian head coach Tony Popovic, Irvine came on as a substitute in the 63rd minute to earn his team a crucial point in their goalless draw against Hamburg on Friday night (Sat AEDT).
Barely 10 days ago, the relegation-threatened German outfit announced Irvine had suffered a foot injury and would be out indefinitely.
He subsequently missed the losses to Borussia Dortmund (3-2) and Wolfsburg (2-1), which plunged Kiezkicker (Neighbourhood Kickers) to joint-last position in the league.
Irvine has struggled for fitness and form in recent months. (Getty Images via Bundesliga: Boris Streubel )
Earlier this week, though, St Pauli's head coach Alexander Blessin said his skipper was a chance of playing.
"We are still in the testing phase. So we just have to see how his foot reacts," he told a news conference.
The point against derby rivals Hamburg lifted St Pauli to 16th spot — the relegation play-off position — but Blessin knows they face an uphill struggle.
"We did too little. We were very inactive, we were too slow. That's why we have to be happy with the point today," Blessin said after their lacklustre performance.
On the fight against relegation, he added: "It will be difficult. We need to start collecting points."
In August, Hamburg and St Pauli staged the first Hamburg derby in the Bundesliga in 14 years after both teams had stints in the second division. St Pauli won 2-0.
Irvine, who had to undergo foot surgery shortly before the end of last season and was out for a long time, has become a valued and respected member of the team since joining in 2021.
But he had made only eight appearances before Friday's clash given his injury hassles.
"He's the captain, he's the extended arm of the coaching team, and he's just extremely important," Blessin said.
His speedy return is bound to please the St Pauli faithful and also bring a sigh of relief to Popovic, just five months out from the World Cup to be jointly staged by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Australia will play a European qualifier on June 14 (2pm) in Vancouver before meeting the United States on June 20 (5am) in Seattle. The Socceroos then take on Paraguay on June 26 (12pm) in Santa Clara in their final Group D match.
Before that Popovic's men will play friendlies against Cameroon at the Sydney Football Stadium in Sydney (March 27) and Curacao at AAMI Park in Melbourne (March 31).
Irvine is a vital cog in the Socceroos midfield and with 80 caps and 14 goals will add plenty of experience to the national team.
AAP