The Socceroos coach insists that the V-bomber has pledged his continued commitment to the national team but injury problems will not allow him to participate next month.

Verbeek maintains Viduka is a ‘special’ player who still has much to offer Australia and one determined to help the green and gold through to a second successive World Cup.

However, when asked whether the Newcastle United man was a no-show for the upcoming flurry of fixtures, Verbeek’s answer was ‘yes'.

The coach said: “He is very professional and honest. He said I am always available whenever you need me and I am fit.

“But he is struggling with an Achilles problem. Perhaps an injection, perhaps a small operation at the end of the season.”

Josh Kennedy is another striker who has been struggling with injury but Verbeek is confident that the big forward will join up once he completes his Bundesliga campaign on May 18.

Griffiths, last season’s A-League player of the year, was a surprise omission from the last Socceroo squad, something that clearly rankled with the player.
However, he will have a chance to stake his claim for a recall this weekend in the colours of his Japanese loan club Avispa.

Verbeek said: “I will travel to Japan to see Joel Griffiths on Saturday.”

As well as checking out Griffiths Verbeek will also try and catch up with JEF United Chiba's Eddie Bosnar.

Travelling is something Verbeek has done of plenty of in the last couple of weeks, taking in numerous countries and clubs to meet with and watch players.

Scott McDonald, Dean Bouzanis and Carl Valeri are among those to have been called on by Verbeek with the manager also keeping tabs on Bristol City’s Nick Carle and Hull City’s Richard Garcia.

Verbeek has also sought assurances from Mark Schwarzer that his recent injury problem is now sorted but he accepts that foot surgery means Tim Cahill will be unavailable.

Although he has yet to return to Australia Verbeek is also being kept up to speed with the ACL progress of both Adelaide United and Melbourne Victory.

He refused to reveal names but did admit that certain players had done their international cause no harm in recent weeks.

Asked specifically about Adelaide striker Nathan Burns, Verbeek said he viewed the youngster as an Olyroo with the possibility to step up.

A squad of around 30 is likely to be called together for the forthcoming international fixtures. He said: “There won’t be too many surprises.”

Asked whether there were any worries about a lack of depth in particular areas or positions, Verbeek said: “If everyone is fit I have no worries at all.”