Socceroos star Tim Cahill was sent to hospital and is in doubt for Australia’s win-or-bust World Cup qualifiers with Honduras after limping out of Melbourne City’s A-League match on Friday night.

Cahill hurt his ankle in a clash with Sydney FC’s Jordi Buijs at AAMI Park and was substituted just 25 minutes into the match. Australia’s all-time leading scorer cast a forlorn figure as he struggled off the pitch and down the tunnel.

It remains to be seen whether the 37-year-old, picked as one of Ange Postecoglou’s 25-man squad for the World Cup qualifiers, will be fit for the national team. The veteran forward didn’t stay to see out the match, travelling to hospital for an MRI on his right ankle.

He is due to fly to Honduras on the weekend ahead of the first leg on Friday 10 November (Saturday 11 November AEDT) in San Pedro Sula.

Without a clean bill of health he won’t be travelling, and could be either saved for the home leg in Sydney on Wednesday November 15 – or left out completely.

Fox Sports reported Cahill would be in “serious doubt” to travel after Cahill’s ankle “blew up significantly” in the change rooms. Cahill was seen putting weight on his ankle, walking and even jumping on the spot in an inspection for City medical staff.

Luke Wilkshire’s first A-League goal gave the Sky Blues a 1-0 win to put Graham Arnold’s side on top of the competition for the first time this season.

City coach Warren Joyce decided to throw Cahill in for his first start of the season against the title-holders, looking to build on his side’s perfect start to the A-League campaign. But City’s gain turned into Australian football’s pain on the quarter-hour mark.

Cahill landed awkwardly as he attempted to hurdle Sydney FC’s Jordi Buijs after a challenge. Five minutes later, he collapsed on the pitch, signalling to the City bench that his night was over.

Postecoglou and Australia fans will eagerly await the outcome of Cahill’s scans ahead of the intercontinental playoff. The striker netted a double in last month’s second leg against Syria to ensure Australia qualified from the Asian playoff.