Martin Boyle Hibs injury concerns shrugged off as Graham Arnold pencils him in for Australia qualifier

Martin Boyle will be risked by Australia in their crucial World Cup qualifier against Palestine in Kuwait, according to manager Graham Arnold.

Boyle's minutes have plummeted at Hibernian recently after nursing a knee injury and the Socceroos came to a decision with the Easter Road club that they wouldn't fly him Down Under for their World Cup qualifying tie with Bangladesh in Melbourne yesterday. Australia ran out 7-0 winners and top Group I, but Arnold has made has made it clear he will do all he can to have Boyle travel to Kuwait for their next game against Palestine on November 21.

He said: "After speaking to the medical staff from his club, they were a little bit concerned that he wouldn’t be able to fly out to Australia. It was just mainly down to the fact that it was on the knee that had the ACL, the swelling, and the long flight that could have made his knee swell up again.

"The best thing to do was to leave him over in Scotland. I also spoke to Nick Montgomery and I am 100 per cent sure he will be fit for the Palestine game. He trained for four days with Hibs and he’ll join us as soon as we get across to Kuwait."

Hibs boss Montgomery admitted last week they would discuss Boyle's fitness with the Aussie medical staff. He said: "If we feel he’s good to go then there are no problems but if we feel there are any issues then our medical staff will speak with the Australian medical staff. "