The 32-year-old Manchester City striker is set to start the season with no prospect of first-team football after seeing his opportunities limited under Roberto Mancini.

Bellamy spent last season on loan at Cardiff but has yet to seal a similar deal for this term.

But he is expected to start against the Socceroos and Speed has been greatly encouraged by what he has seen in training so far this week.

Speed said: "Craig is feeling as good as he has ever felt, he has had a good pre-season, he has played a few games and is raring to go.

"He is the old Craig Bellamy and he has been in your ear moaning here and moaning there and that is a good sign.

"Craig will give 100% whatever the circumstances and he is too good not to be playing in the Premier League. He has worked hard in pre-season and he will be looking to get another game under his belt.

"He has so much to offer and I am sure his situation will be resolved sooner or later.

"His attitude has been excellent and he is a real example to the rest of the squad."

Speed is also set to have Gareth Bale in his side for the first time since taking charge in December.

The Tottenham winger has not featured for his country since the 4-1 reverse to Switzerland last October, missing the Carling Nations Cup and the Euro 2012 qualifying defeat to England.

"Hopefully Gareth will feature," said Speed. "He has looked good in training this week and we hope that he can play a part tomorrow.

"He had a great season last year and hopefully he can kick on for Spurs and Wales."

Speed has been hamstrung in his efforts to put his strongest side on the field due to the number of withdrawals he has been hit by for his four games to date.

But he has seen only three members of his original 25-man party pull out on this occasion, and has hailed the players' commitment to the cause.

He said: "We have said to the players how important these games are if they want a chance of qualifying for a major finals and the players have shown great dedication to be here and go along with the vision we have got for them and what we feel we can achieve.

"You will get injuries and suspensions which is why we need as many people as possible.

"The lads who won't start tomorrow will be disappointed but we will need them to contribute in the next year.

"Even the lads who are injured have come along to follow what we are doing on the training pitch."

Australia are set to name a strong line-up including the likes of Tim Cahill and Brett Emerton as they prepare for their World Cup qualifiers.

And Speed sees them as an ideal test for his side as they cast their eyes forward to their own World Cup qualifiers, which begin in 13 months, and Euro 2012 contests with Montenegro and England next month.

"They are a good team, they are on the fringes of the top 20 in the world, they are strong," he said.

"They beat Germany recently but they are the teams we want to play against as we feel it will enhance our development.

"Playing sides like Australia will make sure we are ready for when those qualifiers come around."