Kennedy, who has scored seven goals from just 20 appearances for the Socceroos, was surprisingly left out completely in the opening game against Germany when Australia went down 4-0 and then was only used as a second half substitute during the 1-1 draw against Ghana.

But with Harry Kewell out suspended for the crunch final game in Australia's group - after the red card he received against Ghana - Kennedy returns to the starting line-up as part of three changes by coach Pim Verbeek.

Australia's most prolific scorer of recent times in Tim Cahill is also back - after he missed the Ghana game following the red card he received against Germany - while Michael Beauchamp replaces the suspended Craig Moore at the heart of the Socceroos' defence.

The other omission from the team which faced Ghana other than suspended pair Kewell and Moore is Brett Holman - who makes way for Cahill - despite scoring Australia's only goal of the tournament so far during the 1-1 draw with Ghana.

The inclusion of Beauchamp means Verbeek has now used 19 of his 23 man squad with the only players yet to see action being back-up defender Mark Milligan, young midfielder Dario Vidosic and reserve goalkeepers Eugene Galekovic and Adam Federici.

The Socceroos must beat Serbia to have any chance of reaching the knockout stages of the World Cup for the second time in a row but then they also have to rely on a favourable result in the Ghana-Germany game, which will also be played at the same time.

The best case scenario is for Ghana to beat Germany, in which case Australia only has to beat Serbia to then make it through to the round of 16 while if Germany wins then Australia also has to make up a total of five goals on Ghana to get ahead of the Black Stars on goal difference.

The worst case scenario is if the Ghana-Germany game is a draw, in which case Australia would then have to beat Serbia - which has conceded just one goal in its two matches so far - by seven goals to qualify for the second round.