Fulham midfielder Tyrese Francois has been called up to the Australian senior squad for the first time as the Socceroos face New Zealand in a double header later this month.
Head coach Graham Arnold has included Francois, currently on loan at HNK Gorica in Croatia, in a party of 31 players as the Australians prepare for their final home fixture before heading off for the World Cup in November. Francois, the inaugural winner of the Fulham Supporters’ Trust Johnny Haynes Trophy – awarded to the club’s academy player of the year, was part of the Olyroos squad at the Tokyo Olympics but appearing for Marco Silva in the Premier League this season has earned the Campbelltown-born 22 year-old a chance to stake his claim for a place on the plane to Qatar.
Francois, who made his Fulham debut in the League Cup defeat by Southampton in 2019, has been at Motspur Park since moving to England in 2013. He has made a total of nine senior appearances for the Whites – including starting last season alongside Josh Onomah in Silva’s early midfield – and came on as a substitute in the 0-0 draw at Wolverhampton Wanderers last summer. After finally extending his contract at Craven Cottage, Francois joined Gorica – who have an academy partnership with the Cottagers – on a season-long loan and made his first appearance as a substitute in the 2-1 defeat by NK Varaždin.
Australia take on New Zealand – who lost in the World Cup play-offs to a Bryan Ruiz inspired Costa Rica – in Brisbane on 22 September and then travel to Auckland for the return fixture on 25 September.
