Kewell missed the last  World Cup qualifier against Japan through injury, whilst Michael Beauchamp, Jacob Burns and Adam Federici will also join the Qantas Socceroo squad for the first time this year.

Vincenzo Grella and Craig Moore are the only two players from the team that drew 0-0 against Japan who have not been selected in the current squad due to injury. No current A-League players made the grade for this match.

The Socceroos are currently at the top of Group A of the 2010 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers (10points), with Japan second (8 pts) followed by Bahrain (4 pts), Qatar (4pts) and Uzbekistan (1pt).

Before heading to Sydney, Uzbekistan will host Qatar in Tashkent on Saturday 28 March, whilst Japan and Bahrain meet in Saitama City, Japan on the same day.

SOCCEROOS SQUAD

Michael BEAUCHAMP Aalborg BK
Mark BRESCIANO U.S. Citta di Palermo
Jacob BURNS FC Unirea Valahorum
Tim CAHILL Everton
David CARNEY Norwich City FC (on-loan)
Scott CHIPPERFIELD FC Basel
Chris COYNE Colchester United FC
Jason CULINA PSV Eindhoven
Adam FEDERICI Reading FC
Richard GARCIA Hull City FC
Brett HOLMAN AZ Alkmaar
Mile JEDINAK Genclerbirligi SK
Josh KENNEDY Karlsruher SC
Harry KEWELL Galatasaray SK
Scott MCDONALD Celtic FC
Lucas NEILL West Ham United FC
Jade NORTH Incheon United FC
Michael PETKOVIC Sivasspor
Mark SCHWARZER Fulham FC
Mile STERJOVSKI Derby County FC
Carl VALERI U.S. Grosseto FC
Luke WILKSHIRE FK Dinamo Moscow