Touré, who had been in fine form for Norwich City – scoring in three successive English Championship matches – suffered a shoulder injury shortly after netting a clinical finish against Bolton. Norwich coach Philippe Clement confirmed the striker will need surgery, casting doubt on his participation in the Asian Cup that begins on Jan. 7 in Saudi Arabia and ruling him out of the September 25 and 29 friendlies with Brazil in Townsville and Brisbane.
The injury comes at a crucial time for the Socceroos, whose 24‑man squad for the Brazil fixtures includes 16 players aged 25 or younger. Coach Tony Popovic has been rotating his youthful roster, and the loss of Touré, a key attacking option, has heightened the spotlight on emerging talents.
Forward Nestory Irankunda, who returned to Australia after a stint with Sporting CP in Portugal, told reporters he is “always ready to play wherever I play” and wishes Touré a speedy recovery. Irankunda, who scored in the World Cup group‑stage win over Turkey and featured up front against Paraguay and Egypt, said he is unfazed by positional changes and is focused on helping the team win.
Irankunda’s versatility has drawn mixed opinions; former Socceroos goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer suggested his speed is best utilized on the wing, yet Popovic has deployed him as a striker at times. Irankunda emphasized that the coach “makes the calls at the end of the day” and that his personal goal is to stay in the squad and contribute.
The young forward also highlighted the broader context of a “golden generation,” noting that the squad’s youth mirrors the promise of the 2006 World Cup team. With the Brazilian side, featuring Real Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior, set to test Australia’s depth, Irankunda believes the experience will be a benchmark for the group’s development.
Defender Lucas Herrington, another rising star who moved from the Brisbane Roar to the Colorado Rapids and now plays for Hull City, echoed the optimism. Herrington praised Popovic’s mentorship and said the squad’s depth allows players to be patient and ready when opportunities arise, especially against elite opponents like Brazil.