Sutherland Sharks product Alex Gersbach is facing World Cup selection heartbreak after being cut from the Socceroos squad for friendly matches against Norway and Colombia later this month.
The 20-year-old defender was one of three players left out of Bert van Marwijk’s 26-man Australian squad, with Hibernian striker Jamie Maclaren and goalkeeper Mitch Langerak also omitted.
Australia face Norway in Oslo early on Saturday morning (AEDT) before taking on Colombia in London next Wednesday morning. The matches will be vital preparation for the Socceroos’ World Cup campaign in Russia, starting with their first pool match against France on June 16.
Gersbach completed a loan move from Norwegian champions Rosenborg to French Ligue 2 club RC Lens in January in his quest to play more consistent first team football ahead of the World Cup and force his way into van Marwijk’s squad.