On Tuesday, head coach Pim Verbeek will name the squad to face Kuwait in Australia's vital Asian Cup Qualifier next month.

But with Christmas Day barely over, the team will be expected to leave their familes and fly off to an extended Middle East national team training camp.

Verbeek has arranged a seven day training camp in Dubai starting next Monday for the Socceroos over the New Year period to try to foster a team spirit from the second string side.

But an FFA spokeswoman told au.fourfourtwo.com there would be no invite or welcome for the wives and girlfriends of Roos in Dubai, despite the end of year celebrations.

The January 6 match date for the game against Kuwait is not a FIFA-approved international date which means first choice players like Harry Kewell, Tim Cahill and Mark Schwarzer are unlikely to be released by their clubs for the game.

The English Premier League is especially busy over the festive period, ruling out many of the key players.

Verbeek and assistant coach Graham Arnold were visible at this weekend's A-League games as they draw up their squad shortlist ahead of Tuesday's announcement.

But it is unlikely Verbeek will be willing to take an entirely A-League-based squad after the Aussieroos nearly derailed the Asian Cup campaign before it barely began.

A draw away against Indonesia and loss at home against Kuwait in Canberra left Australia struggling to qualify and only home and away wins against Oman by the first choice Socceroos resurrected our chances again.

But good results in the remaining games against Kuwait and Indonesia are vital to ensure the Socceroos qualify for the 2011 competition.

Verbeek may be looking to bring in Asian-based Australians and those on the fringes of European-based clubs to bolster the squad and avoid any banana skins.

The Griffiths brothers could earn a surprise recall with both Joel and Adam keen to impress to improve their current in-limbo club situation, while Ryan's season in China is currently on a break.

Japan-based Josh Kennedy and Middle East-based Danny Allsop may also feature.

The game may also see a return for Euro youngsters Nikita Rukavytsya, Dario Vidosic and Matthew Spiranovic who are struggling for game time with their clubs and more likely to be released for the match.

However the makeshift Socceroo squad will have had little playing time together which makes the extended training camp vital - and the schedule means there's no alternative but for it to run over New Year.

The A-League will be in shutdown for the duration of the camp with the exception of the New Year's Eve match between Central Coast Mariners and Wellington Phoenix.

Although New Zealand-based Phoenix are unlikely to be seriously impacted by the Australia training camp, it could leave the Mariners without matchsaver Danny Vukovic and matchwinner Matt Simon, among others.

The punishing schedule may also impact the following round of games the weekend after Australia's midweek fixture against Kuwait.

The A-Leagueroos will be expected to be match ready for the full fixture of Round 22 games on the Saturday and Sunday after flying back from the Middle East on the Thursday.

But the potential reward for the punishing schedule and family disruption will be the chance to boost Australia's chance of qualifying for the Asian Cup - and to impress Verbeek enough to cement a possible place in the World Cup squad.