‘Could be crucial’: Portsmouth striker playing hint as he faces gruelling build-up to Blackburn return
Kusini Yengi has been thrown an olive branch over playing time as he clocks up more demanding international duty travel.
And that raises the prospect of the striker having to negotiate minutes on the pitch unscathed for the Socceroos against China next week, ahead of his side’s Championship return against Blackburn.
The Pompey man was left on the bench by Australia boss, Tony Popovic, yesterday as his team picked up a thumping 5-1 win over Indonesia in the AFC qualifier.
That leaves them handily placed to qualify in one of the two automatic spots, with three matches left at the third round stage.
Eyes now turn to a big test for Popovic’s side as they travel to China next Tuesday to take on Group C’s bottom side in Hangzhou. That’s an 11-hour flight from Sydney, with Yengi then faces a gruelling 15-hour journey back to the UK after the game as he clocks up extensive travel across the world.
It’s an exacting schedule for the striker coming off the back of four months out with a knee injury, picked up while on international duty for Australia against Bahrain last November.
Yengi’s two goals in that outing continued an explosive run of six goals in as many games for his country, as he establishes himself for his country. That has not been echoed in the Championship this term with no finishes to his name, amid a stop-start campaign hampered by injuries for the 2023 arrival.
Pompey will be hoping for Yengi to return unscathed, as they go into a crucial game for their survival hopes with eight games remaining.
And when it comes to using those not featuring against Indonesia, Popovic hinted they may have roles to play after the physical demands his side face.
He said: ‘Physically where the players are at some, of course, will find it hard to back up.
‘They will find it hard to back up the level they produced (against Indonesia), but I’m sure every player will put their hand up to play that’s available.
‘We’ll assess accordingly in terms of the freshness, the quality that can start the game and also players who come on can make a difference. The impact those players can make away from home could be crucial in this game.’
Socceroos boss ‘knows what Kusini gives’
Speaking ahead of the Indonesia game, Popovic spoke of the benefits of having a fit-again Yengi in his side’s ranks, but pointed out playing time has been in short supply after his first start since his injury return against Preston last weekend.
Popovic said: ‘He (Yengi) played 65 minutes on the weekend and started which is always important. He has looked good but you can't replicate the (lack of) game time but we know what Kusini gives us.’