Brisbane Roar striker Adam Taggart's Asian Cup dream remains alive with the 25-year-old's groin injury not as serious as first believed.
Taggart underwent scans on Monday after limping off during the Roar's 2-1 loss to Adelaide on Friday night and club medical staff say he is "touch and go" to face Newcastle this weekend.
Taggart is not expected to miss any further matches if unfit to play against his former club.
The news will be a relief to Taggart, who has scored five goals in six A-League appearances for the Roar, as he aims to earn a Socceroos spot for the Asian Cup in January.
He has endured a wretched run with injuries over the past two years and must have feared the worse when he pulled up in the 37th minute of the clash at Hindmarsh Stadium.
Coach John Aloisi has already defended his decision to keep Taggart on the field after he felt a twinge in the groin earlier in the match.
"He felt something but he thought that he could go on," Aloisi told reporters on Saturday.
"It's just unfortunate that the next shot he took, he felt it again."
The Roar are also sweating on the fitness of French winger Eric Bautheac (knee) for the trip to Newcastle on Sunday.
Midfielder Stefan Mauk (concussion) will miss the match regardless of his condition after being red-carded against Adelaide.
Australian Associated Press
