Socceroos defender Ivan Franjic remains in a race against time to recover from injury and play in the Asian Cup final.

Franjic will have further treatment by Socceroos medical staff on his injury on Thursday, said by team hierarchy to be hip ailment.

But Franjic clutched at the left side of his groin when hurt during Tuesday night’s semi-final win against the United Arab Emirates in Newcastle.

Franjic has been a mainstay, one of few Socceroos to play every minute of every game in the tournament so far.

The right-back has provided consistent drive along the flank and, if ruled out of Saturday night’s decider against South Korea, presents coach Ange Postecoglou with a major problem.

The only other specialist right-back in the Australian squad, Aston Villa’s Chris Herd, has returned to England for treatment on his tournament-ending Achilles injury.

One option could be to switch centre-back Trent Sainsbury to the flank, with Alex Wilkinson taking the central defensive post.

“It doesn’t bother me,” Sainsbury said.

“They can put me in goal if they want to. I’m not fussed, I’ll go out there and do the job that I’m told.

“I have played there a few times … I just have to adjust and do what the coach tells me.”

– AAP