Schwarzer's yellow card in the 3-1 win over Qatar means he will be a spectator when the Socceroos face China at ANZ Stadium in Sydney on Sunday.

The Fulham keeper has made it clear he has no intention of relinquishing his jersey yet but knows there is battle on to be his eventual successor.

There is no clear deputy at this stage with Pim Verbeek seemingly keeping his options open.

Michael Petkovic and Ante Covic are the two more experienced contenders with youngsters Danny Vukovic, Adam Federici, Tando Velaphi and Dean Bouazanis pushing behind them.

Petkovic seems to be favourite to start against the Chinese, having been one of the senior players retained by Verbeek on the squad's return from the Middle East and also the fact the Sivasspor custodian was on bench against Qatar.

Speaking exclusively to au.fourfourtwo.com Schwarzer said: "Obviously I'd have loved to play against China but what it (suspension) does is open up an opportunity for one of the other guys to play.

"Michael has a lot of experience but hasn't had that many opportunities for Australia over the years.

"If the coach goes for him then it gives him the chance here in Australia to show people what he can do.

"If he's going to play on Sunday then he has to play well and hopefully, from his point of view, impress the right people."

Petkovic, brother of Perth Glory's Jason Petkovic, made his Socceroo debut back in February 2001 in a 3-2 defeat by Colombia but hasn't featured since the 3-1 defeat by Denmark in London in February 2007.

The other option for Verbeek is Newcastle Jet Covic, Australia's third choice at the 2006 World Cup. His last outing also resulted in a clean sheet, coming in March's 0-0 draw in Singapore.