Jason Davidson, Ryan McGowan and Chris Herd are in line to make their international debuts in Edinburgh after being named in today's otherwise familiar-looking squad.

Osieck defended his lack of further experimentation, insisting he had to strike a balance and use the match to also assess his regulars after a European and Australian off-season.

“I tried to kill two birds with one stone,” Osieck said. “It is the core group for the upcoming round of qualifiers, but I am still looking at new options. If the young players perform they will be recognised.

“I definitely want to see them in the game because it is not always enough to see them in training. I wouldn't guarantee them a start but they might get an opportunity later in the match.”

Osieck admitted that the likes of James Holland and Luke DeVere were “on the list” after getting regular game time for their respective clubs Austria Wien and Gyeongnam, but said other youngsters on the fringes of consideration, such as Matthew Leckie, needed to do more at club level to demand selection.

Following the Scotland match, Osieck and his staff will undergo a scouting mission across Europe and the UK that will give the rest of the other hopefuls every chance to impress.

Absent regulars Josh Kennedy and Jade North were both kept out by injuries that Osieck is hopeful will not stop them from being available for next month's crucial qualifier away to Jordan.

Meanwhile, Osieck said he was “surprised” at Matt Spiranovic's move to Qatar's Al-Arabi, saying he would have preferred to see the young defender, who he rates as a long-term regular for the Socceroos, join a European club.

The German coach said he hopes clubless striker Harry Kewell can work out his situation and “get his feet on the ground”, while dismissing claims that Aussie-born Uruguayan striker Richard Porta should be getting a look in.

“A lot of people jump on that bandwagon,” Osieck said. “I have talked to the Uruguayan national team coach, I have got my information, I have seen DVDs. He hasn't done too well.”

Osieck assured Porta's supporters he would keep close tabs on him at new UAE home Dubai Club, concluding: “We are not sleeping.”