15.01.2015 09:49 h

Australia defender Herd out of Asian Cup

Australia's Aston Villa defender Chris Herd has been ruled out of the rest of the Asian Cup with an achilles injury, the team said on Thursday.

The 25-year-old underwent scans and received treatment after going down in training before the Socceroos face Oman in Sydney.

"It's disappointing for the team and especially for Chris that he is unable to continue in the tournament," coach Ange Postecoglou said in a statement.

"It has been determined it is in Chris's best interests that he returns to Aston Villa for rehabilitation to ensure he can get back on the pitch."

Herd cannot be replaced in Australia's squad, meaning the hosts are reduced to 22 players as they go into their final Group A game and next week's quarter-finals, having already qualified for the last eight.