Jackson Irvine has joined Socceroos coach Tony Popovic's growing injury list after the influential midfielder's club ruled him out of action indefinitely.
Irvine's Bundesliga club St Pauli said on Wednesday the 32-year-old would be unavailable "until further notice", in an announcement that is sure to cause Popovic concern just five months out from the World Cup.
The 80-cap midfielder has suffered a recurrence of the stress injury in his left foot that ruled him out of last year's World Cup qualifiers and led to the St Pauli captain spending the best part of six months on the sidelines.
It is unclear whether Irvine, who underwent surgery last year, will have to go under the knife again, but his absence is a major blow for St Pauli as they battle to avoid relegation.
"The next steps are now being discussed by all the parties involved," St Pauli said in a statement.
The midfielder had just got back to full fitness over the past month, playing five straight games for St Pauli in the Bundesliga and German Cup.
Irvine has often acted as the Socceroos' back-up captain to Mat Ryan during Popovic's reign.
His latest injury setback will also be a worry for the Socceroos set-up as the World Cup in the US comes into focus.
Leicester defender Harry Souttar has still not returned to club football after injuring his achilles more than 12 months ago.
Souttar's likely replacement - Portsmouth defender Hayden Matthews - is also expected to miss the next eight weeks with an ankle injury.
