Socceroos striker Mohamed Toure is expected to return to training Friday (AEST) after he sent a scare through camp went he sat out a session.
The 22-year-old was part of an official team photo taken on Thursday (AEST) but did not return to run with the team in Alameda California, with no reason given for his absence.
It has since been reported that Toure was suffering with illness, which was not considered a serious threat to his chances of playing in the Socceroos’ World Cup opener against Türkiye on Sunday.
Socceroos officials reportedly opted to play it safe and isolate Toure from the rest of the team to prevent illness from spreading.
Toure is expected to be fit to take his place in Sunday’s game.
It comes as a huge relief after the gun striker’s absence set off alarm bells at Australia’s training base.
Star teammate Jordy Bos said he didn’t realise Toure was missing until after the training session had begun, but believes the depth in the Socceroos squad would hold them in good stead should the Norwich City striker be scratched.
“It was actually during training where I noticed he wasn’t in there, so I don’t know why he wasn’t,” he said.
“He’s been doing really well in his new club … scoring goals and his power and everything about him, he’s a great asset.
“We have other players as well that can also play striker … but obviously to have Mo is really nice for us.”
Toure comes into the World Cup as one of the green and gold’s form players, having scored 10 goals in 12 appearances for the English second-tier club.
If he was to miss the clash with Türkiye, options to replace him up front would include recent Socceroos debutant Tete Yengi, as well as veteran Mathew Leckie and whiz kid Nestory Irankunda.
