Newcastle receive work permit boost after Australia World Cup call-up
Newcastle United's chances of securing a work permit for Garang Kuol have been boosted after he was surprisingly called up to Australia's World Cup squad.
The 18-year-old only made his senior debut for the Socceroos in September - the same month he signed for Newcastle, who he will officially link-up with in January.
Newcastle's plan for Kuol has always been to bring the teenager to England before then loaning him out, and while that remains likely outcome, his participation in the World Cup finals increases the chances of earning a work permit.
However, it remains to be seen how involved he will be as his place in Graham Arnold's final 26-man selection caught many by surprise - he is yet to start a senior game for Central Coast Mariners.
Despite his lack of experience, Arnold told reporters that his inclusion is very exciting for Australia: “Shouldn’t this be the most exciting moment? You know, an 18 year old kid who’s just come out of nowhere and is on a new journey in life," Arnold said.
“We’ve seen this type of thing happening many times before at World Cups and massive games, where players who are unknown come out and shock the whole of the country.”
West Brom's Tom Rogic was a notable omission from Australia's 26-player squad, but there are number of other British based players who made the cut.
Middlesbrough's Riley McGree, Sunderland's Bailey Wright and Stoke's Harry Soutter are in, while there are seven Scottish based players included. Former Scotland international Jason Cummings is also rewarded for his switch of allegiance with a place in the squad.
Australia's World Cup squad
Goalkeepers - Mathew Ryan (FC Copenhagen), Andrew Redmayne (Sydney FC), Danny Vukovic (Central Coast Mariners)
Defenders - Joel King (Odense Boldklub), Nathaniel Atkinson (Hearts), Fran Karacic (Brescia), Harry Souttar (Stoke City), Kye Rowles (Hearts), Thomas Deng (Alberix Niigata), Aziz Behich (Dundee United), Milos Degenek (Columbus Crew), Bailey Wright (Sunderland)
Midfielders - Aaron Mooy (Celtic), Jackson Irvine (St Pauli), Ajdin Hrustic (Hellas Verona), Cameron Devlin (Hearts), Riley McGree (Middlesbrough), Keanu Baccus (St Mirren)
Forwards - Craig Goodwin (Adelaide United), Awer Mabil (Cadiz), Mathew Leckie (Melbourne City), Martin Boyle (Hibernian), James Maclaren (Melbourne City), Jason Cummings (Central Coast Mariners), Mitchell Duke (Fagiano Okayama), Garang Kuol (Central Coast Mariners/Newcastle United)