Blues centre-half Cameron Burgess has been named in the 26-man Australia squad for the AFC Asian Cup, which gets under way in Qatar next month.

The 28-year-old could miss up to six Town Championship matches as a result of the call-up with the competition running from January 12th to February 10th. Australia face Uzbekistan, Syria and India in the group stages.

Burgess, who has won three full caps having picked up his first in September is confident that the Socceroos, who won the competition in 2015 when Massimo Luongo, who announced his international retirement earlier in the week was in the side, can go a long way into tournament this time around.

“That’s the aim,” he said at this afternoon’s press conference prior to the squad announcement. “Ever since I’ve been involved with the Australian national side, we’ve played some big opponents.

“Our attitude is much the same as it is here at Ipswich – we’ll take anyone on and I think we’ve shown that in our performances since I’ve been involved.

“So, yes, I’m confident enough that we can go and do the best we can in the tournament. Obviously, nothing is handed to you, I suppose, but something we’ll look to do as a team is to attack in every game and look to get as far as we can in the tournament and hopefully go and win it.”

The Scotland-born centre-half admits he will be disappointed to miss out on Town’s games while he is away.

The first Championship match Burgess will be absent for is the Sunderland home game on January 13th, while he may be back and ready to be play in the Millwall match at the Den on February 14th, two days after the final. If Australia go all the way, he definitely looks set to miss Leicester (A), Rotherham (H), Preston (A) and West Brom (H).

“It will be bittersweet a little bit but obviously it is something that I am very proud to be able to do, but at the same time it has been the things I’ve done with my teammates and coaches here that have got me to that level and that stage, for which I owe them a lot,” he said.

“So, while it’s a little bit bittersweet, I have all the faith in the world that if I’m not going to be here for a little bit of time, I know they will do their utmost in my absence.”

Also set to be on international duty in Qatar is another Town central defender, Elkan Baggott, who has become a permanent fixture in the Indonesia squad. The 21-year-old has been named in a preliminary squad for a pre-tournament training camp.

Burgess admitted there had been a bit of banter between the pair, adding: “Yes, we did have a look at it and I think there is a chance that we could end up facing each other.

“Obviously, with it being a tournament, you don’t know how things are going to go with the draw and stuff like that, but it could happen.

“That would be an interesting one for both of us and I’m hoping that Elkan and his team can have a good tournament as well. It’s something we are both looking forward to.”

Australia get their campaign under way when the take on India at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan on Saturday 13th January.

The Socceroos subsequently face Syria at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium in Doha on Thursday 18th January, before they complete their group games against the Uzbeks at the Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah on Tuesday 23rd January.

Also in the squad is Portsmouth's Kusini Yengi, elder brother of Blues youngster Tete Yengi.

Photo: Reuters

MickMillsTash added 00:06 - Dec 22 So many reasons why tournaments should not be in Qatar - not just the ones taking our best centre back out of action for 5 weeks
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E_I_E_I_E_I_O added 00:32 - Dec 22 Why not MMT? I went to the WC last year and it was head and shoulders better than any hospitality that Europe has ever provided. I’d assume they’ll put on a similar effort here.
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pennblue added 09:20 - Dec 22 I don't get this Asian cup if I am honest. I get wanting to play in Qualifiers for World Cups, but to risk your place in a team to play in this cup I can't quite get my head around. This is not of course just a question for Cam, but any player called up to play in it. I see Soutter has also been called up for the Aussies.
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STATMAN added 10:48 - Dec 22 I would love to see the day when we have 20 players called up for International duty all over the World. What a team we would have then. The higher Standard you play the more players are called up!!!!!!!!! COYB and Merry Christmas to all.
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Gforce added 10:59 - Dec 22 I'm quite confident, Keiran will have a quality replacement lined up hopefully very early in the window.
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Paulc added 11:28 - Dec 22 EIEIEIO - Are you serious? you understand the questions over Qatar's human rights policies rather than their ability to be great hosts right? Pennblue- By your rationale you should be questioning the European Championships as well then.
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MickMillsTash added 11:41 - Dec 22 EIEI Footballs not about the quality of prawn sandwiches People in glass houses perhaps shouldn't throw stones, But I wouldn't hold sporting events where there seems to be the human rights issues that are reported on in QATAR SAUDI, CHINA etc I also think its a good idea to hold tournaments in countries where football is a popular sport. I didn't go to QATAR, I would have gone reluctantly had we got to the Semi, but I'd have probably got the ticket for a ridiculously inflated price from someone with no interest in football working in a vacuous marketing role for an unethical global brand given one as part of a corporate ticket give out - whilst the England Travel club beg FIFA for more tickets.

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Medblue added 12:46 - Dec 22 Mickey Mouse tournament in the middle of nowhere. Would have thought the chance of keeping your place in your club side aiming for promotion to the premier league takes priority.
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Saxonblue74 added 16:42 - Dec 22 Cams position, despite him being one of our key players is one we have decent cover for in Edmundson and Tuanzebe. I don't even want to get started on the whole Qatar debate and what the obscene sums of money are doing to sport!
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Karlosfandangal added 18:13 - Dec 22 Can see Tunazebe getting a few more minutes to step in for Burgess or resting of Woolfenden or Edmundson but think we need a new CB in Transfer window.
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churchmans added 23:22 - Dec 22 Mickmillstash paulc Tell us about these human rights policies that you have heard about! Or do you mean you don't agree with there culture! There is a difference I'm sure you would hand in your season ticket if a billionaire Qatari ever bought ipswich Qatar was a surprisingly good world cup so was russia! No violence or a wiff orf trouble! Peacefull,everybody who went enjoyed it! Do you think the usa will be better!!!? You don't think they or us here in Britain don't have human rights issues or social issues? Keep your lefty views off here and stick to football Tell me your gripe one at a time and I will give you a proper reply and answer

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