Not a happy birthday for Tiatto

Danny Tiatto will spend his summer recovering from a double fracture of the jaw, suffered during Australia’s 3-1 defeat to Turkey in Sydney yesterday.

The combative midfielder had only been on the pitch for 10 minutes after being introduced as a second-half substitute, when he clashed with Socceroos goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer.

Tiatto, looking for a new club after being released by Manchester City, spent his 31st birthday today having his jaw wired shut and he will be on liquids for at least six weeks.

Schwarzer damaged his hip in the same incident, which led directly to Hakan Sukur heading home his second and Turkey’s third goal of a fractious encounter.

The Middlesbrough goalkeeper had just two hours sleep last night as he iced the injury and although there was an improvement today, he remains a doubt for Monday’s rematch in Melbourne.

Socceroos coach Frank Farina will give Schwarzer as much time as possible but will not select him unless he is fully fit.