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Anna Harrington

Socceroos scare: intrigue grows over striker's absence

Mohamed Toure was a notable absentee from Socceroos training. (Lukas Coch/AAP PHOTOS)

The Socceroos will train behind closed doors as speculation mounts over striker Mohamed Toure's fitness, days out from Australia's World Cup opener against Turkey.

Toure was absent from Wednesday's training session but the Socceroos said they expect Toure to return to training on Thursday (Friday AEST).

No specific reason was provided for Toure's absence.

Defenders Jordan Bos and Milos Degenek talk about Mohamed Toure’s absence from Socceroos training. (Anna Harrington/AAP VIDEO)

Australia will hold a closed session on Thursday (local time) as intrigue grows over Toure's fitness.

Toure, who has been widely expected to lead the line in Saturday's game at BC Place in Vancouver, wasn't involved in the 15-minute window which training media were permitted to watch on Wednesday.

Toure was the only player of the 26-strong squad not involved, while coach Tony Popovic and assistant Hayden Foxe were also spotted in discussion with team medical boss Mark Jones.

It would be a hammer-blow to the Socceroos if dynamic striker Toure is unavailable for any part of the tournament, given his importance to Australia's attack.

Mohamed Toure
Mohamed Toure is a key member of Tony Popovic's squad. (AP PHOTO)

Defenders Jordan Bos and Milos Degenek spoke to the media after training - and in between the two press conferences, a Football Australia spokesperson indicated Toure was expected to train on Thursday.

"So Mo's expected to train tomorrow," Degenek said.

Asked if he knew why Toure didn't train, Degenek said: "You'll see him tomorrow."

Asked when the players noticed Toure wasn't in the session, Degenek said: "I didn't notice he wasn't out there, because a lot of the session was separate parts - attack (and) defence.

"But you'll see him tomorrow and I'm sure he'll be more than happy to speak to you guys."

Milos Degenek
Milos Degenek is confident Mohamed Toure will take part in the Socceroos' next training session. (Lukas Coch/AAP PHOTOS)

Bos, speaking before Degenek, said he didn't know why Toure was absent.

"It was actually during training where I noticed he wasn't in there," Bos said.

Toure, who has scored two international goals, started in Australia's recent friendly against Mexico, and was used off the bench against Switzerland last weekend.

The striker notched 10 goals, including two hat-tricks, and three assists in just 12 appearances for English Championship side Norwich after signing in January, despite a groin injury interrupting his season.

"He's a big asset to us," Bos said.

"He's been doing really well in his new club, so him scoring goals and his power and everything about him is a great asset for us."

Socceroo Nestory Irankunda talks about his ambitions ahead of the World Cup. (Anna Harrington/AAP VIDEO)

Bos was asked how big a blow it would be if Toure wasn't available.

"I'm not too sure," Bos said. 

"We have other players as well that can also play striker and stuff, but yeah, obviously to have Mo is really nice for us."

If Toure is not fit, one-cap striker Tete Yengi is the only other traditional No.9 on hand to replace him.

Veteran Mathew Leckie and explosive attacker Nestory Irankunda are other leading options.

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