To see Australia's training session...

To see Bahrain's training session...

Neill will not play against Bahrain after having picking up a one-match ban for receiving a yellow card during the Qatar clash.

Verbeek admitted he hadn't considered who the skipper's armband would go to as Neill's suspension had slipped his mind in the hectic whirl of celebrations of World Cup qualification and the flight home from Dubai.

Harry Kewell looks a shoe-in to take on the role, but Mark Schwarzer and Blackburn midfielder Vince Grella are also in the running accroding to Verbeek.

Australia will also be without striker Josh Kennedy who pulled up sore following last Saturday's 0-0 draw against Qatar in Doha which guaranteed Australia's qualification to the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa.

Verbeek said he wouldn't risk Kennedy's fitness for the dead rubber at ANZ Stadium in Sydney, saying he'd prefer to keep him for next week's clash against Japan at the MCG.

"At 194cm, he had some problems in the airplane. His muscles are not 100 per cent to play this game, he will be fit for next game against Japan. Tomorrow is too much risk," he said.

His absence could inspire a two-man attack in a 4-4-2 shape after the Socceroos experimented with the formation at training on Tuesday afternoon.

In another blow for the Australians, Verbeek said midfielder Richie Garcia (knee) had also been ruled out through injury, leaving the coach with plenty of choices to make in the centre of the park, as regular midfielder Mark Bresciano is also unavailable.

"Richard had a small operation in England four weeks ago. His knee has swollen up a little bit," he said.

Along with Neill's absence, Australia's defence could be further weakened as Colchester's Chris Coyne has a minor injury that will be monitored. If Coyne doesn't play, then Matthew Spiranovic, Mark Milligan and Jade North will all be considered for the central defensive positions.

"I have a small question mark on Chris Coyne, I will see in the training session if Chris is ready to play," added Verbeek.

The good news for Verbeek, however, was that both Kewell and Tim Cahill will be fit to play the match.

Cahill was in some doubt as he continued to struggle with a niggling hip injury picked up in Everton's recent FA Cup final loss to Chelsea, but Verbeek said he was ready to go on Wednesday night.

"As far as I know I have 21 players fit," Verbeek said. "I'm not going to tell you who (the first XI) are. I don't know it yet. I have to wait for tomorrow morning to see how they come up.

"I have my ideas about the game tomorrow. But we are ready. We want to make it a good game, we want to win the game and we want to play our best."

To see Australia's training session...

To see Bahrain's training session...