Middlesbrough boss Gordon Strachan has angrily returned fire at Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek's claim that he cost Rhys Williams a place at the World Cup.

A "heartbroken" Williams, 21, was one of five players to miss out when the Socceroos squad was trimmed the final 23 for the tournament, Verbeek saying he was disappointed he couldn't pick him but he had not recovered sufficiently from a pelvic injury.

Verbeek laid the blame on Strachan, saying Williams had continued to play through the pain barrier for his English Championship club, receiving injections to keep going.

But Strachan furiously denied the allegation, saying: "We as a club and I personally strongly object to being made scapegoats by Mr Verbeek.

"I know it's a stressful time for him, but he needs to get his facts right.

"First of all, I should point out that decisions over injuries are made by the club's medical staff, not me, but it is nonsense to suggest Rhys was receiving injections for every game.

"The truth of the matter is we only ever did what we believed was right for the player's long-term future, and he only played when he and our medical team agreed he was fit to do so.

"We were advised by a consultant in mid-season that he needed four or five weeks' rest, we actually gave him 10 as he didn't play between December 28 and March 6.

"He only ever had two injections into the problem area, both of which were taken on the advice of a surgeon for the player's long-term benefit.

"On each occasion he was given adequate rest afterwards. We were always conscious of the World Cup and the fact that Rhys would want to be involved.

"We gave him every opportunity to recover from his injury in mid-season. After that, each time Rhys played it was because he himself was happy to play.

"Mr Verbeek told us he was happy with the player's performances for the club and the Australia physio guaranteed me Rhys would be fit for their first game.

"We are all disappointed for Rhys that he has missed out, but he is a talented lad and I'm sure there will be other opportunities in future.

"The fact he isn't fully fit is very unfortunate, but it's simply wrong to try to lay the blame at our door."

Announcing his decision to trim Williams from the squad on Wednesday, Verbeek said: "He [Williams] trained without confidence. He could never train fully, he's not free to play and his recovery is not quick enough to make it.

"I'm disappointed he will not be in the final 23.

"Gordon Strachan let him play for weeks with an injury. Gordon Strachan let him play with an injection every game. If you do that with a 20-year-old player, you take a risk.

"I'm 100 per cent sure if they [Middlesbrough] had given him the normal treatment for a player, he should be in the World Cup."

Strachan's defence was supported by Grant Downie, Boro's head of medical.

Downie said: "Neither Middlesbrough Football Club nor the medical department that I lead would ever do anything to endanger a player's health.

"We have always taken the best actions for the player and will continue do so as Rhys moves back to full fitness.

"At present, he continues to suffer from the ongoing problem and this will now need a further period of rest and rehabilitation."

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP