Brosque replaces McDonald in Socceroos squad

Australia striker Scott McDonald will miss the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Thailand and Saudi Arabia due to a hamstring injury, and his place in the squad has been taken by Alex Brosque.

Brosque, who plays for Shimizu S-Pulse in the Japanese J-League, replaces Middlesbrough forward McDonald for the third-round Asian qualifier against Thailand in Brisbane on Sept. 2 and against Saudi Arabia in Dammam on Sept. 6.

The group-stage third round sees Australia, Japan, South Korea, North Korea and Bahrain make their first appearance in Asian qualifying, joining those teams which had progressed from the first two rounds.