Australia lose Jedinak for World Cup play-offs

Sydney: Injured captain Mile Jedinak was Wednesday ruled out of Australia’s crunch World Cup play-offs against Syria, as coach Ange Postecoglou included a host of fresh faces in the push to make Russia. The Aston Villa star missed the Socceroos’ final qualifiers with a groin problem and was not used by club manager Steve Bruce for the Championship side’s three recent wins. His absence is a blow to Australia’s chances against the Syrians, with the first leg on October 5 in Malaysia before the return clash in Sydney five days later.