To see the Socceroos train in Sydney...


Cahill has been hampered by a knee injury in the opening weeks of Everton's English Premier League campaign and will be closely monitored in the lead up to the match.

He did not attend a promotion at a Sydney shopping centre on Tuesday, instead opting to receive treatment from team medical staff at the team hotel and remained on the sidelines throughout training yesterday afternoon.

While coach Holger Osieck was not available to the media, a team spokesman confirmed Cahill will be given maximum opportunity to prove his fitness.

Harry Kewell, Alex Brosque and Matt McKay stuck to a warm-up schedule at the training session and didn't get involved in a fast-paced game that saw Dario Vidosic in lethal form in front of goal.

Meanwhile, Neill did not report for duty on Tuesday morning having suffering a groin injury whilst playing for Turkish giants Galatasaray three days ago.

Brett Emerton, who will also miss the match through suspension after receiving a red card in last month's 2-1 friendly win over Poland in Krakow, confirmed Neill's absence but says Cahill's injury remains a mystery.

"Lucas won't (play), he's stayed back in Turkey with an injury and as far as Tim's concerned I'm not sure what his chances are of playing," Emerton said.

"Obviously we'd love to see him play but I can't answer that to be honest, that's up to the medical staff."

Richard Garcia and Vidosic are the two main candidates to replace Cahill, with either Jade North or Michael Thwaite to play centre-back in Neill's absence.

Emerton's replacement is more of a mystery with Garcia and Matt McKay both options on the right, while Osieck may also opt to play right full-back Luke Wilkshire further forward.

While disappointed he won't be able to play in the match, Emerton plans to make the most of his week on the training pitch.

"I obviously just wanted to be involved with the team and the new coach," he said when asked why he travelled half way around the world to watch from the sidelines.

"To be here with the team and get to see what ideas he had for us, I think that the main reason (for coming back to Australia).

"It's a great atmosphere we have here in the team so it's always a pleasure coming into camp and seeing what I regard as my mates, and obviously being in Sydney as well it's an opportunity to see family and friends.

"Although I'm suspended I said 'I'd love to come and be a part of it' and it's good to be back here and although I won't be playing put in a good hard week at training."

To see the Socceroos train in Sydney...