To see the Socceroos train in Sydney yesterday...

Cahill sat out the morning session to gain treatment on his troublesome knee while Holger Osieck put the rest of the Socceroos through a sharp 90 minute training session at Leichhardt Oval.

It's understood the Everton star will be given as long as possible to prove his fitness for the clash against the South Americans, who made the quarter-finals at the 2010 World Cup.

But while Cahill remains in doubt, striker Josh Kennedy should be right after overcoming the virus that kept him out of Tuesday's training run.

While Saturday's meeting with Paraguay is the next challenge on the agenda, there's no doubt the Socceroos are already looking ahead to next year's Asian Cup.

The Australian's had a disappointing campaign in the first foray into the Asian tournament in 2007, where they went to the tournament as favourites but were bundled out in the quarters.

Speaking after training on Wednesday, Socceroos trio Richard Garcia, Luke Wilkshire and Alex Brosque all said January's Asian Cup in Qatar was very much at the forefront of the players' minds.

"The Asian Cup is a wonderful opportunity," Garcia said.

"It's our European Cup and we should hold it in the same esteem."

"We want to go out and show ourselves as the good footballing nation that we are."

"I'm sure the European clubs won't be too happy about (losing their players for the tournament) but the African blokes do it for the African Cup of Nations so why can't we do it for the Asian Cup."

"It comes down to whether you want to play for your country or your club."

"It's a fine balance but sometimes the clubs have to realise that the national team comes first."

Wilkshire, who has established himself as one of the key players in the Socceroos squad over the last couple of years, added: "The World Cup is in the past now and we have a tough challenge from Paraguay on Saturday then we move forward for the Asian Cup."

"I believe we are still ranked number one in Asia so obviously we are going there as one of the favourites."

"It's going to be a very tough competition as the last one in 2007 proved."

"We've got to adapt and it's a good opportunity for us to go over there and try and be successful."

While Brosque admitted he faced a challenge to make the final squad for January's tournament, he said the appointment of Osieck should give all local players hope of forcing their way into the team.

"He's (Osieck) shown not shy to pick players (from the A-League) and you've got guys like Matty McKay that have been doing well," the Sydney FC striker said.

"If the A-League boys are given a chance and do well it gives everyone hope where as in the past it's been quite difficult to get a chance."

To see the Socceroos train in Sydney yesterday...