Grella plays in Serie A this Sunday and so wouldn't arrive till late but Verbeek hinted that Palermo's Mark Bresciano may make the flight after his club game was scheduled for this Saturday.

Verbeek also suggested that goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer would be okay to fly in if selected.

Verbeek is ramping up his squad's tactical work ahead of Qatar next week.

“At this stage, it's all about tactics," he said. "That's why I will play 11 v 11 today, tomorrow, Friday and Saturday.

"Eleven v 11 is the only real way to learn about the real football situation.

“I'm not happy yet ... but that should be expected. It should be funny if I was already happy. I'm playing a system most teams in the world play.”

A relaxed Verbeek was also keen to clarify his comments last week that triggered widespread debate about the standard of the A-League. Verbeek said he was surprised at the media reaction to his comments.

He added: “I read so many times that I was completely smashing and killing the A-League.

"I simply made a remark that a player who is training in the Bundesliga and training seven times a week playing against the best strikers in the Bundesliga I think is a higher level than the A-League.

“I can tell you the A-League is great. I enjoy every minute when I'm in the stadium watching the A-League... but I'm not a fan, I'm a football coach. I have a different mission. My job is to beat Qatar.”

Asked whether he was concerned that Melbourne would turn on a very hot day next week, Verbeek was unconcerned about it affecting any European Socceroo arrivals.

“I don't spend energy on things I can't change," he said. "I don't care if it's 40 degrees or if it's raining, I'm just concentrating on my team.”

Similarly when asked about the appointement of a Malaysian referee, he reiterated: “I don't spend energy on things I can't change.”

Verbeek added that this week's European arrivals Jacob Burns and James Troisi “had no problems” with jet lag.

Defender Michael Thwaite will arrive late into camp although, Verbeek was coy about why he was late into camp. “The team manager knows but I'm not going to say why.”

Meanwhile Jets defender Adam Griffiths has a thigh strain.

The Socceroos train at 4pm today at Bob Jane stadium while Qatar have a session across town at 5.30pm.

The Socceroos will play Melbourne Victory this Saturday with Verbeek saying he was happy for journalists to watch the game.