Australia Set to be Without Two Stars for Paraguay Game – Green and Gold News Summary:

- Australia forced into changes for their final Group D fixture against Paraguay in Santa Clara, with right-back Jacob Italiano sidelined by an adductor injury.

- Mat Leckie also out with a hamstring strain, opening the door for Nestory Irankunda, Connor Metcalfe or Cristian Volpato to start on the flank.

- A win or draw guarantees Australia second place and a Round of 16 spot, with Paraguay missing the suspended Miguel Almirón.

Australia vs Paraguay: Injuries Reshape the XI

Australia's selection headache just got spicier. Right-back Jacob Italiano picked up an adductor injury at training and joins winger Mat Leckie (hamstring) on the sidelines for the Australia vs Paraguay group stage decider. 

That's two of the starting XI from the USA fixture now unavailable, leaving Popovic to reshuffle on the eve of the most important match of Australia's campaign.

Popovic, true to form, kept his cards firmly pressed to his chest. "We're always considering all possibilities because we've always shown faith in every player that's here," he said. "Since we've started this journey, every player that's in our squad knows he has a chance of playing and that's no different for tomorrow."

Jason Geria, who slotted into the right side of central defence in the second half against the USA, and Kai Trewin, who started at full-back in the warm-up match against Switzerland, loom as the frontrunners to replace Italiano. Popovic also refused to rule out a tactical tweak to the system itself.

The Leckie Replacement Debate

The bigger talking point? Who fills the Leckie-shaped hole on the wing. Fan favourite Nestory Irankunda, Connor Metcalfe and Cristian Volpato – who turned heads with a lively cameo in the final half-hour against the USA – are all pushing hard for caps from the opening whistle.

Asked directly about whether Irankunda's impact warrants a starting berth rather than a bench role, Popovic stayed diplomatic. 

"We'll keep that at the basic level of analysis, which is, people are happy if a player plays and people are unhappy if they see a player they like that doesn't play," he said.

The coach was quick to defend his selection consistency, pointing out nine players started both opening fixtures. 

"We're more disappointed in the performance, not so much in who played and who didn't play. We improved that performance in the second half, which really pleases us, and the players that came on made an impact. Whoever starts tomorrow I know can build a strong foundation and whoever comes on can finish what we've started."

What's at Stake in Group D

The maths is refreshingly simple for Australia. A win or a draw against Paraguay locks in second place in Group D and a Round of 16 berth. Lose, and the permutations get ugly.

Paraguay arrive with their own headache. Star winger Miguel Almirón – the former Newcastle man with six Premier League seasons under his belt – is suspended after being sent off for covering his mouth during a confrontation in his side's 1-0 victory over Turkey. 

That's a significant blow to their attacking edge and a genuine opening for Australia to exploit on the counterattack.

For Popovic's side, this is the kind of must-win-or-draw scenario Australia have built a reputation on at major tournaments. 

With fresh legs ready to inject pace and intent, and a clear path to the knockout stage in front of them, the script is there for the writing in Santa Clara.