‘We’re hurting for him’: Injury could spell the end of Leckie’s World Cup

San Francisco: Mathew Leckie may have taken to the field at a World Cup for the final time with the Socceroos veteran’s involvement in Australia’s campaign in jeopardy after suffering a minor hamstring tear.

Leckie, 35, was the only member of Australia’s squad not involved in Monday’s (local time) training session in Alameda - their first full on-field work since the 2-0 defeat to the United States.

The Melbourne City star, who was restricted to eight games in the A-League this season due to repeated injuries, was subbed off after an hour in the Seattle loss, going down clutching at his hamstring.

In a best-case scenario, the 82-cap winger would be available for the Socceroos’ prospective round of 32 clash, but defender Jason Geria is still hoping he could be involved on Friday (12pm AEST) against Paraguay.

“It’s never nice seeing a player go down at all, [especially] a teammate,” Geria said.

“Everyone’s worked so hard to be here in the first place. It’s such a long journey. And for Lecks, he’s had a lot of battles with injuries over the years, so for him to get himself in shape to be a part of this, it’s a massive effort from him.

“And all he’s done for the national team as well ... he’s had an amazing international career. We’re hurting for him, but hopefully he’ll be able to get up for, if not this game, then the round of 32.”

Australia’s finishing position could shape Leckie’s prospects of returning at his fourth World Cup. If the Socceroos come second in Group D, they will play in Dallas on July 3 against the second-placed team from Group G, either Egypt, Iran or Belgium.

But if they fail to win or draw with Paraguay in their last group stage fixture and end up as one of the eight best third-placed finishers, they will most likely head to Boston to face Germany - on June 29, a shorter turnaround.

Though a draw would be sufficient to guarantee a knockout berth for both Australia and Paraguay in their clash at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium in Santa Clara, the differing paths on offer - and the prospect of the loser copping Germany - is likely to mean both teams will chase the maximum result.

“Yeah, we could both progress with a point. That’s evident. But I don’t think it’s in us ... we want to win every game regardless of who the opponent is or what the situation is,” Geria said.

“If it is 1-0 or 0-0 with five minutes left or 50 seconds left, it’s [not] going to be us taking the foot off the pedal. We want to win this game.”