Australian goalkeeper Brad Jones withdraws from World Cup

Australian Socceroos reserve goalkeeper Brad Jones has officially withdrawn from the World Cup, with Eugene Galekovic drafted into the 23-man squad, Australia's media reported on Saturday.

Jones notified Football Federation Australia (FFA) on Friday he would remain with his family in France after his four-year-old son Luca was diagnosed with leukemia.

Governing body FIFA gave the Socceroos special dispensation to add Adelaide United goalkeeper Galekovic to the Australian squad as Jones' replacement.

"Brad has told us he won't be coming back and Eugene has been allowed to officially become part of the squad," an Federal Football Australia (FFA) spokesman said in a statement.

Coach Pim Verbeek had been working on the basis Middlesbrough goalkeeper Jones would remain at his son's side in France, with Reading keeper Adam Federici now elevated to Mark Schwarzer's understudy.

Galekovic will be the third-string keeper.

Australia's World Cup opener is against Germany in Durban on Sunday (Monday AEST).

Source: Xinhua