Portsmouth star Sammy Silvera suffers further international blow ahead of QPR clash

Pompey star Sammy Silvera was once again left out of Australia’s match day squad as the Socceroos drew 1-1 with Japan at the Saitama Stadium in the World Cup qualifiers.

Silvera, 23, had previously missed out on Tony Popovic’s squad to take on China on Thursday 10 October and was undoubtedly hoping to add to his international caps in the Socceroos’ match vs Japan earlier today, Tuesday 15 October,.

Thursday’s 3-1 win over China was ex-Crystal Palace star Popovic’s first game as head coach but the former Socceroo international was unable to make it two wins from two as own goals from both sides ensured Australia and Japan both took away a point.

Six changes had been made from Thursday’s squad to Tuesday’s, but Silvera was not one and the winger is now set to return to Fratton Park without having secured any international minutes this month.

For the 23-year-old winger, this will be a crushing disappointment. But many Blues fans will be grateful of the fact that the forward can return to PO4 without having sustained any injury concerns as the south coast club continue their hunt for their first win over the 2024/25 campaign.

Pompey will be preparing for their weekend trip up to London where they will take on fellow relegation strugglers Queens Park Rangers and John Mousinho will now be able to call upon the five-time Australian international without fear or injury or fatigue.

Silvera arrived at Fratton Park this summer on loan from Middlesbrough. He has since played seven matches for John Mousinho’s side and, although he is yet to find the back of the net, his club head coach has previously praised his ‘bright’ start.

Speaking in September, the Blues boss said of the Australia international: “Sammy has been really bright since he came into the building. There’s plenty of promise there in terms of his performances. There’s a huge amount to build on as well. We want to get him in the swing of things, we want to get him going, keep on top of him and hopefully have a really successful loan spell.”

Silvera should have been the second Pompey star to represent Australia in the October international break. However, after being shown a red card in Australia’s defeat to Bahrain in September, Kusini Yengi was forced to miss out on playing for Popovic’s first games in charge and will now hope to be selected when the side take on Saudi Arabia and Bahrain once again in November. Barring any last minute injuries or illnesses, the Australian pair will both be available to represent the Blues in Saturday’s clash in west London as Mousinho seeks to win his first Championship match.