Sotirio has returned to Australia to receive treatment on an injury.

Champness will join Milicic’s squad in Kunshan, China on Wednesday.

Australia will play its first match at the 2018 AFC U23 Championship against Syria on Thursday, January 11.

Further matches in Group D will be played against Vietnam on Sunday and Korea Republic next Wednesday. 

Australia will require a top two finish in Group D to advance to the Quarter Finals of the continental competition.

Australia’s results at the 2018 AFC U23 Championship will impact the team’s seeding for the 2020 AFC U23 Championship, which will double as the qualification tournament for the 2020 Summer Olympics to be held in Tokyo.

All three of Australia’s Group D matches at the 2018 AFC U23 Championship in China will be broadcast live and exclusive on FOX SPORTS.

Australia U23 v Syria U23
Thursday 11 January 2018
Kunshan Stadium, Kunshan
Kick-off: 4pm (local); 7pm (AEDT)
Broadcast: Second half LIVE and EXCLUSIVE on FOX SPORTS 501 following ‘Just For Kicks’

Vietnam U23 v Australia U23
Sunday 14 January 2018
Kunshan Stadium, Kunshan
Kick-off: 4pm (local); 7pm (AEDT)
Broadcast: Full match LIVE and EXCLUSIVE on FOX SPORTS 506

Korea Republic U23 v Australia U23
Wednesday 17 January 2018
Kunshan Stadium, Kunshan
Kick-off: 7.30pm (local); 10.30pm (AEDT)
Broadcast: Full match LIVE and EXCLUSIVE on FOX SPORTS 501