Former Dundee United defender Harry Souttar may have sustained a “very serious” knee injury on international duty with Australia.
The highly-rated Stoke City centre-back was stretchered off late on in the Aussies’ 0-0 World Cup qualifying draw with Saudi Arabia.
Head coach Graham Arnold has confirmed that the 23-year-old will undergo scans but he is already fearing the worst.
Arnold on Harry Souttar's injury:
"It's very serious. At this moment I'm really down and devastated for Harry. I believe he's the best centre-back in Asia and if it turns out to be a bad injury it's a blow for Harry and a big blow for us." #AUSvKSA
— Daniel Garb (@DanielGarb) November 11, 2021
“It’s very serious,” Arnold told ABC Sport
“At this moment I’m really down and devastated for Harry.
“I believe he’s the best centre-back in Asia and if it turns out to be a bad injury it’s a blow for Harry and a big blow for us.”
Souttar, brother of John, who could return to the Scotland team in Moldova, has been the subject of recent transfer speculation.
The likes of Everton, Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa have all been linked with January bids, with Stoke reported to have valued him around £20 million.
It is understood that United have a 15% sell-on clause.
EXCLUSIVE: Dundee United set for MULTI-MILLION pound windfall if Harry Souttar is sold by Stoke City