"Timmy is struggling a little bit with a foot. It's a totally different injury [to previous foot injuries he's had]," Verbeek said today from Holland. 

"At this moment it's better to leave him in England because I have some other players. He's okay but it's better to stay in England."

It's believed Cahill sustained the injury in recent days in England.

Another injury worry is Harry Kewell. Verbeek said he was in Turkey to see the striker play recently and saw him score a wonderful goal. However a slight ankle injury has clouded Kewell's participation in the South Korea game.

Elsewhere in the squad, Verbeek brushed aside concerns about captain Lucas Neill who continues to be without a club.  

"I'd be worried if he was not playing these games in  April or May," he said. "There is no panic button to press. I'm not too worried."

Verbeek also said reports that Neill was holding out for a more lucrative contract being the reason for the player's inability to find a club as being misplaced.

He added: "I'm in more than regular contact with Lucas, but I can't do anything for him."

In good news though, Socceroo assistant coach Graham Arnold watched Brett Emerton play in a closed door friendly for Blackburn against Celtic in recent days. It boded well for the future.

"He was as good as before," reported Verbeek. "We're very pleased."