FOOTBALL: Cherries defender Brad Smith says he is "devastated" to be ruled out of Australia's Confederations Cup campaign.

Smith was replaced at half-time of the Aussies' crucial World Cup qualifying victory over Saudi Arabia on Thursday, with coach Ange Postecoglou subsequently citing a hamstring "twinge" as the reason for the player's withdrawal.

Scans have revealed more serious damage to the muscle, however, meaning Smith will be replaced in the Socceroos' 23-man squad for the tournament in Russia.

Smith tweeted: "Devastated to announce I won't be going with the boys to Russia for the Confederations Cup. Good luck to all the boys for the rest of the month, go and do something special."

Signed from Liverpool last summer, the 23-year-old started only three Premier League matches in his first season with Cherries and didn't figure after the defeat at Everton on February 4.

Nevertheless, he was impressive in games at Arsenal and Chelsea, and had been poised to play for Australia in a friendly against Brazil on Tuesday, ahead of the team's departure for Russia.

The Aussies qualified for the Confederations Cup as winners of the 2015 Asian Cup and have been drawn in a group with Germany, Cameroon and Chile.