Socceroos defenders Luke Wilkshire and David Carney are on track to return from injury in Sunday morning’s (AEDT) Asian Cup quarter-final against Iraq.
The pair missed Australia’s final group game against Bahrain after both picked up injuries in the 1-1 draw with fellow heavyweights South Korea.
Wilkshire suffered a groin knock while Carney popped a shoulder but both trained with the Australian squad in Doha on Thursday.
“I’m pretty sure (they will be available),” Socceroos coach Holger Osieck said.
“That’s why I want them in training … to see if they are already catching up and it looks good.”
The news is not so positive for midfielder Jason Culina, who again sat out training to manage an ongoing knee problem, with the German coach admitting he is unlikely to return.
Tim Cahill picked up a badly corked thigh against Bahrain but is expected to recover in time to face Iraq.
Osieck said he was still undecided on how to replace midfielder Brett Emerton, who is suspended after picking up a second yellow card against Bahrain.
Australia are out to avenge a 3-1 loss to Iraq in the group stage at the 2007 Asian Cup.
The Socceroos were bundled out in the quarter-finals of that tournament, while Iraq went on to beat Saudi Arabia in the final.
Recent encounters between the teams have been evenly matched.
They last faced off in two World Cup qualifiers in 2008, each prevailing 1-0 in games in Brisbane and Dubai.
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