Holger's Surprise Roos

Big name stars Harry Kewell, Tim Cahill and Mark Schwarzer are missing from the list after a gruelling domestic season. Cahill wasn't expected to play but Kewell and Schwarzer's omission was a surprise.

Kewell effectively ruled himself out after he was substituted at half time in his final Galatasaray game at the weekend, while Schwarzer has been revealed to need groin surgery.

There will now be a three way battle for the gloves between Borussia Dortmund and former Victory youngster Mitchell Langerak, Nathan Coe and Adam Federici.

Also in the squad is former Olyroo Mark Milligan who appeared to have falled out of favour for Socceroos duty, while J.League colleague and former Sydney star Alex Brosque also returns with Josh Kennedy.

Youngster Michael Zullo is also on green and gold duty while recent call-ups Matt McKay and Robbie Kruse are sealing their place as Australia first regulars.

Zullo looks set to replace injured David Carney at left back, but Nikita Rukavytsya's absence in attack is a surprise, but his role could be filled by James Troisi, making a long-awaited return to the fold, three years after he last played for the Roos.

Like Schwarzer, Rukavytsya is also said to be facing off-season groin surgery, ruling him out of a place in the squad.

Led by Qantas Socceroos Captain Lucas Neill, 12 players were part of thesquad that recently defeated Germany 2-1 in an international friendly in Monchengladbach.

Melbourne Victory striker Archie Thompson has been rewarded for his performances in the AFC Champions League with his first selection under Holger Osieck and his first appearance since playing against Kuwait in Canberra last year.

Rhys Williams bounces back from his long-term groin injury that ruled him out of contention to play at the 2010 World Cup and sidelined him for a large part of the past 12 months.

"There are some players there to show their potential and see if they are up to the standards of the Socceroos," said Osieck today. "I think the product is here. I hope the boys will meet our expectations.

"It is great for them show them what they can do for our team."

Osieck explained the injury woes facing some of the senior stars

"Tim carried a very niggling injury during the Asian Cup tournament," he said. "I said to him in early March: 'Don't worry, I won't consider you for these games to fully recover. We need you for the qualifying games.'

"Mark needs a groin operation which was not forseeable which is not good for him. But it gives us the opportunity for the other goalkeepers to show what they can do.

"I am in permanent contact with Harry and I had him on the original list but he missed out in a couple of games.

"He came back and played but he was substituted in his last game at half time. I think it was a very honest discussion we had. I had the feeling that he did not really feel comfortable about his actual performance level. That is the reason why I left him out.

"Carney is going to be out long-term. It's going to be a couple of months until he can return. That is a very negative one. He has scored some good goals. I consider him a good player for the team."

He added: "It opens the door for younger players. Zullo has good potential, I like him. He brings in a lot of pace he has an excellent crossing technique. I was very impressed by him."

Thompson's inclusion has flagged speculation he is set to announce his international retirement and will make his last Socceroos appearance in front of the Melbourne crowd.

QANTAS SOCCEROOS SQUAD