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Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou has rung the changes for next month’s World Cup qualifying playoff with Syria, bringing five new faces into camp — but there is no Mile Jedinak.
The Australian captain is still missing with a groin injury, while Trent Sainsbury has been retained despite a lack of club football in China.
Aziz Behich, Craig Goodwin, Nikita Rukavytsya, Josh Risdon and Matthew Jurman have come into the squad with Jamie Maclaren, Alex Gersbach and Ryan McGowan among the notable absentees.
Postecoglou said he was “overall pretty pleased” with the squad, spearheaded by PFA player of the year Aaron Mooy, Bundesliga sharpshooter Mathew Leckie and Celtic’s Tom Rogic.
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“Jedinak couldn’t come up for this game but the rest of the squad is coming into camp hopefully after this weekend’s games in good health, in good form and looking forward to the challenge,” Postecoglou said.
Jedinak’s unavailability is Australia’s biggest concern.
The Aston Villa midfielder has struggled with a groin issue for months and was unused in the Championship side’s three wins during the past week.
“He had a run of 45 minutes (earlier this month) and he didn’t pull up well and that gave me the inkling he was unlikely,” Postecoglou said.
“We always want to give him every opportunity. He’s very keen to be involved … he’s certainly confident he’ll be back soon.”
Israel-based Rukavytsya comes in from the cold for the two-legged playoff, making his first squad under Postecoglou.
His last match for the national team was a 3-0 friendly win over Canada in 2013 under caretaker coach Aurelio Vidmar, in the wake of Holger Osieck’s sacking.
Wide players Risdon and Goodwin return to the national team set-up for the first time since last November’s away trip to Thailand.
Jurman, who has been named ahead of Asian Cup winner Matthew Spiranovic, has the chance to win his first Socceroos cap.
Gersbach was not selected due to a minor injury suffered at club level, with Postecoglou confident in strong form shown by Turkey-based Behich.
The Socceroos boss said Maclaren’s non-selection was “delicate”, with the 24-year-old striker given time to adjust to life in Germany.
“He’s just gone to a new club and I think for us, long term, the most important thing is for him to really get settled,” Postecoglou said.
Awer Mabil has also dropped out from the squad that produced a 2-0 loss in Japan and 2-1 home defeat of Thailand last month.
Australia must overcome Syria over two legs — in Malaysia on October 5 and in Sydney on October 10 — to progress to a final home-and-away playoff in November that will decide whether they head to next year’s World Cup in Russia.
Socceroos squad for 2018 FIFA World Cup playoff vs Syria
GOALKEEPERS: Mat Ryan, Mitchell Langerak, Danny Vukovic
DEFENDERS: Aziz Behich, Milos Degenek, Mathew Jurman, Josh Risdon, Trent Sainsbury, Brad Smith, Bailey Wright
MIDFIELDERS: Mustafa Amini, Craig Goodwin, Jackson Irvine, Massimo Luongo, Mark Milligan, Aaron Mooy, Tom Rogic, James Troisi
FORWARDS: Tim Cahill, Tomi Juric, Robbie Kruse, Mathew Leckie, Nikita Rukavytsya
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