SOCCEROOS coach Pim Verbeek could regain the services of defender Lucas Neill and giant striker Josh Kennedy for the critical tour of the Middle East.
Verbeek said that Neill, who missed Sunday's 1-0 win over Iraq to stay in England to be with his pregnant wife, could return for the June 14 qualifier against Qatar.
"Lucas will be with us from Sunday June 8. We're planning for him to come then. This week, they expect the baby. We don't want to put him or his wife under any pressure. He can stay with his family, but he has been working hard and when he arrives on June 8, we have the whole week to prepare for the Qatar game and for the China." Verbeek said.
The injured Kennedy could earn a recall for the clash against Iraq in Dubai on Saturday, but is unlikely to play the following week against Qatar in Doha.
"It was impossible for him to play now, but he's doing very well in his recovery. We don't have a player who is 196cm who can do what he can do late in the game. I can make a decision on Josh whenever I need to," he said.
"I know he will not play 90 minutes, but if you can have players like him on the bench, who if necessary, can force something. But that will only be against Iraq on Saturday because of his family situation."
Kennedy and Neill were not named in Verbeek's 26-man squad announced on Monday afternoon for the Middle East tour.
Verbeek has shown faith in the players who earned Australia a result against Iraq despite being less than impressed by the display in Brisbane.
He has added Melbourne frontman Archie Thompson in the squad after a promising display for Victory in his two matches since returning from a knee injury.
Match-winner Harry Kewell will again captain the side for the Dubai match but Neill would assume the captaincy if he should return. Dynamic midfielder Tim Cahill is again missing due to a foot injury.
Cahill is on course to be ready for pre-season training with Everton as he continues his recovery from surgery.
He is back home in Australia recovering from an operation to end his persistent metatarsal problems but Everton is confident he will be fit to begin training in July.
Australia is in pole position to qualify for the next phase of the qualifying stage with Verbeek suggesting one more win would be enough to progress. Australia closes the group phase against China in Sydney on June 22.
"Lucas will be with us from Sunday June 8. We're planning for him to come then. This week, they expect the baby. We don't want to put him or his wife under any pressure. He can stay with his family, but he has been working hard and when he arrives on June 8, we have the whole week to prepare for the Qatar game and for the China." Verbeek said.
The injured Kennedy could earn a recall for the clash against Iraq in Dubai on Saturday, but is unlikely to play the following week against Qatar in Doha.
"It was impossible for him to play now, but he's doing very well in his recovery. We don't have a player who is 196cm who can do what he can do late in the game. I can make a decision on Josh whenever I need to," he said.
"I know he will not play 90 minutes, but if you can have players like him on the bench, who if necessary, can force something. But that will only be against Iraq on Saturday because of his family situation."
Kennedy and Neill were not named in Verbeek's 26-man squad announced on Monday afternoon for the Middle East tour.
Verbeek has shown faith in the players who earned Australia a result against Iraq despite being less than impressed by the display in Brisbane.
He has added Melbourne frontman Archie Thompson in the squad after a promising display for Victory in his two matches since returning from a knee injury.
Match-winner Harry Kewell will again captain the side for the Dubai match but Neill would assume the captaincy if he should return. Dynamic midfielder Tim Cahill is again missing due to a foot injury.
Cahill is on course to be ready for pre-season training with Everton as he continues his recovery from surgery.
He is back home in Australia recovering from an operation to end his persistent metatarsal problems but Everton is confident he will be fit to begin training in July.
Australia is in pole position to qualify for the next phase of the qualifying stage with Verbeek suggesting one more win would be enough to progress. Australia closes the group phase against China in Sydney on June 22.
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