Aston Villa defender Shane Lowry admits delays from FIFA over his international clearance was reason why he failed to take the field for Australia earlier this month. Lowry was called into the squad for the games against Holland and Oman after switching allegiances from the Republic of Ireland.

The on-loan Plymouth Argyle centre-half told The Herald: "It was obviously disappointing, but the reason I couldn't play was because my FIFA international clearance hadn't come through in time.

"We had hoped it would have been done by then but I couldn't even get a place on the subs' bench.

"But at the same time, it was good experience to get in among the squad. They are a very, talented bunch of players."