Schwarzer feared the worst

Mark Schwarzer feared his World Cup dream was over when he broke his cheekbone.

Australian goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer feared his World Cup dream was over when he broke his cheekbone.

Schwarzer suffered the injury just over a fortnight ago when he was hurt during Middlesbrough's FA Cup semi-final defeat to West Ham United.

The 33-year-old initially felt the impact had done little damage, but he quickly became concerned about the injury.

He admits he was worried that the broken cheekbone would deny him a place in Australia's squad for the World Cup in Germany.

But Schwarzer is now due to play in Boro's Uefa Cup final against Sevilla on Wednesday, with a World Cup appearance now firmly in sight.

"I didn't think it was that bad until the physio asked for the doctor on his two-way radio," Schwarzer told The Daily Mail.

"When he came on I started thinking there must be more to it. They kept talking about indentation in my face.

"The doc said I had to go off and I said 'I don't want to, I am fine'. But I stood up and I could feel the looseness in the bone and my face.

"I knew it was not right, so reluctantly I had to go off.

"As I was walking down the side of the pitch, I thought straight away my season was over and that didn't mean just the FA Cup semi and the Uefa Cup final, but the World Cup as well.

"I was devastated, but then I went to see the specialist and I was ready to train a week later."

Schwarzer is due to wear a protective mask for Boro against Sevilla, but it is unclear whether it will still be required by the time of Australia's first game against Japan on June 12.