Australia’s Lewis Miller has been dealt a crushing blow with the defender to miss this year’s World Cup with an Achilles injury.
Football Australia confirmed the news on Tuesday morning after Miller was stretchered off in the second half of Blackburn Rovers’ 3-1 win at QPR in the Championship on Sunday.
Get all the latest football news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!!
The 25-year-old has since undergone surgery, ending his chances of appearing for the Socceroos in Canada and the United States later this year.
Miller’s absence is a significant blow to Tony Popovic’s squad.
The right-back played a pivotal part in the World Cup qualifying campaign, scoring two goals.
Since making his international debut against England at Wembley Stadium in 2023, Miller has earned 20 Socceroos caps including featuring in the national team’s last 14 matches and starting in 11 of them.
Socceroos select US World Cup base | 01:12
The Sydneysider, who emerged from the Central Coast Mariners, has also been in impressive form for Blackburn.
Miller has featured 31 times this season for the 19th-placed Rovers across all competitions, including 25 starts.
He also has scored two goals and provided two assists.
New Blackburn boss Michael O’Neill was fearing bad news, but hoping for the best post-match.
“It does look like a serious injury and he’s in a boot, so we can only wish that it’s not as serious as it looks,” O’Neill told the club’s website.
“He’s in a lot of pain and had to be stretchered off despite nobody being near him. It looks like an Achilles situation and we hope that there’s good news and it’s not as severe as maybe we fear.”
Miller is expected to face roughly nine months on the sidelines.
“The Australia international will receive the full care and support of everyone at the club throughout his rehabilitation, and everyone at Rovers wishes him a full and speedy recovery,” Blackburn said in a statement.
“We’re all with you, Lewis.”