Harry Kewell is recovering in Sydney after undergoing surgery on a hernia this week. The Galatasaray midfielder hurt his groin in a contest for a high ball in a recent Turkish Super Lig match and flew home to Australia to have an operation to fix the problem.

Both club and country wanted Kewell to have the problem fixed as soon as possible and agreed for him to have it treated with the right specialists.

Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek said the former Leeds and Liverpool star would be back in up to four weeks.

"Harry is fine and is aiming to start training again in three to four weeks time," Verbeek said.

"Harry's a tough customer and is used to playing with, and through, injury over most of his career.

"But this is an injury that could be dealt with efficiently.

"I know from talking to Harry that he is very happy with the medical treatment he has received and he is hoping to be on the park ahead of schedule."