A jinxed Harry Kewell's World Cup preparation is again in doubt after he broke down with injury in the FA Cup final.

Kewell went off just three minutes into the second half after reportedly aggravating his chronic groin injury while running out for the second half.

It was the second year in a row that Kewell has been forced to limp out of a big final, following his early exit in Liverpool's Champions League triumph against Milan last year.

Saturday's injury is believed to be the same long-standing groin injury that also forced him off during the FA Cup semi-final win over Chelsea.

Kewell was a peripheral figure during the first half of the final against West Ham, playing wide on the left before being switched with Djibril Cisse to a deep-lying forward position, perhaps to limit his required running given his suspect fitness.

The Socceroo star looked restricted when he was tackled relatively mildly from behind early in the match and got up slowly and stiffly.

Kewell's two years at Liverpool have been blighted by groin and ankle injuries. He underwent hernia surgery in the off-season.

His preparation for the World Cup must again be in doubt, with the Socceroos to go into a training camp on May 21 ahead of a friendly against Greece in Melbourne, followed by warm-up games against the Netherlands and Liechtenstein.

Australia's first match at the World Cup is on June 12 against Japan in Kaiserslautern, with Kewell and Everton's Tim Cahill (knee ligaments) the only injury doubts.

Kewell was the fourth Australian to play in the FA Cup final after Joe Marston (Preston), Craig Johnston (Liverpool) and Cahill (Everton).

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