Aussie star returns to see ill child

AUSTRALIA’S backup goalkeeper Brad Jones has had to leave the World Cup in order to be by the side of his four-year-old son Luca, who has been diagnosed with cancer.

Jones’s Socceroo team-mates were reported to be devastated when they were told his son had leukaemia.

Jones last night arrived back in France to join his family.

“The team was visibly upset,” a Socceroos source said.

“They are still in a bit of shock.”

The 28-year-old was told Luca had leukaemia on Friday by his former wife, Julie.

She and Luca live in St Tropez.

Socceroos captain Lucas Neill broke the terrible news to the squad on Saturday, only hours before their practice match against the USA.

Jones told friends he was unsure if he would get back to South Africa to play in the World Cup.