Aitor Karanka urges Rhys Williams to 'take it step by step' in battle to make Australia World Cup squad

Rhys Williams is fighting to be fit for the World Cup after suffering a serious Achilles injury against Wigan in January

Aitor Karanka has urged Rhys Williams to walk before he can run.

The Australia international recently expressed his desire to return to full fitness in time to be considered for selection for this summer’s World Cup.

Williams suffered a serious Achilles injury in the Championship match against Wigan on January 28 and underwent surgery a few days later.

It was widely understood that the injury had put paid to the 25-year-old’s hopes of making the Socceroos squad for Brazil.

But he insists he's "way ahead of schedule" and could yet be back in a Boro shirt before the end of the season.

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Rhys Williams

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Despite being impressed by Williams’ desire, Karanka urged caution.

“If he plays in the World Cup it will be good news for us but I told him that he needs to take it step by step,” he said.

“Sometimes you want to run before you can walk and you lose two or three more weeks.

“I asked him to be careful. I understand his desire and it’s good that he wants to play in the World Cup. It’s good that he has this mentality.”

Williams’ first aim is to get back into the Boro team and then to prove his fitness before the Australia squad is selected.

Following last night’s 2-2 draw against Huddersfield, Karanka’s men will have just eight Championship games to negotiate before the end of the season.

With Boro out of the play-off picture, the club’s final game is at Yeovil on May 3 - just five-and-a-half weeks away.

Realistically, Williams needs to be declared fit for action by Easter weekend (mid-April) so that he can get at least three or four games under his belt.

Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou will name his preliminary 30-man World Cup squad no later than May 16. The players will then spend a week together at a training camp before a warm-up match against South Africa on May 26. Postecoglou has to settle on his final squad of 23 players by June 8.

Asked if he thinks the Aussie coach will want Williams to prove his fitness for Boro before considering selecting him, Karanka answered: “I think so because if I was the national coach I would want to see the players.”