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.
gazz
Roar Pro
we need all the fit options we can possibly get.. positive news
MyLeftFoot
Roar Guru
RorD Actually, yes, I do like it - very much - I hope Holger runs with it (with the small suggestion that Cahill would operate behind Kewell, and provide a bit more stiffness in midfield - Iraq absolutely murdered us in the midfield last time. ps I reckon Matty would be fantastic on the left in front of Carney
RedOrDead
Roar Guru
So...you like my team's formation MLF? Is it ready for me to fax to Holger? hehe I need to get it right first time because faxes to direct lines to Doha are very expensive and all email attachments are screened so we can't have this information in the wrong hands! **cough Iraq cough**
MyLeftFoot
Roar Guru
Yes. I wrote two days ago (immediately after the Bahrain game): "...we have to accept that: 1. our midfiled consists of two screeners and a goal poacher, it’s not a midfield designed to work the ball into the front third in a slow, precise, innovative manner; 2. with the loss of Wilkshire (and now Emo), we’ve lost a functioning right wing, we can’t rely on the left wing because Holman’s role is to drift in and try and wrap his right foot round a ball, which is fair enough, and our left backs, either through instruction or apprehension, are not trying to make the byline (and they are right to be wary if Holman is drifting far, far to the right). All in all, it has to conitinue being a reliance on: 1. set pieces 2. second balls (that’s where our goal came from) 3. quick balls to Kewell and Cahill, which remains a danger to most teams in this comp – but it’s not something you would want to rely on to take on the world. "
whiskeymac
Guest
wld that result in bypassing the midfield again because valeri and jedi are screeners?
RedOrDead
Roar Guru
North should definitely be returned to the bench, I've never really rated him and even when given a chance he didn't impress much. Wilkshire in for North, Carney in at left back! The starting 11 should look something like this...Kilkenny should definitely make another well deserved appearance, maybe for Valeri, Tommy Oar for McKay and Macca or Kruse for Kewell! ...............__Neill___Ogne__............ Wilkshire__......................__Carney .............__Valeri__Jedinak__........... Holman__...........................__McKay ________Kewell____Cahill_______
dasilva
Guest
I'm not warming towards Carney but i still think Carney should play as he is pretty much our only left back option I put Carney at left back and put Mckay at the wing and then Holman can replace Emerton role and wilkshire cna slot in right back and North can be dropped Really i'm not a fan of carney but I prefer Carney over Jade North. The alternative is to keep Mckay at left back and North at right back and put Wilkshire at the right wing which doesn't seem like aparticularly good option for me.
RedOrDead
Roar Guru
That's one thing I never understood, how do these highly paid professionals not even hit the target, sometimes error margin is verging ridiculous and embarrassing. Having played the game at amateur level I know hitting the target isn't as easy as it seems, especially when you try and put a little more power or spin on the ball, but I would think our country's BEST possible players could get a lot closer than me! This also happens in the A-League SOOoooo many times - it's almost as if they need a lesson on physics to learn how to keep the ball low and straight! hehe
whiskeymac
Guest
we certainly need the strikers to hit the target from the chances they are given.
RedOrDead
Roar Guru
I'm warming towards Carney - I don't think he's as bad as all the crap he's been copping from us! I hope in Emerton's absence that Kilkenny and/or Burns get a go on the field, we need some young and fresh legs, especially players who want to prove themselves and every other football and non-football critic that they belong in the Aussie squad! Tim Cahill didn't train with the squad again, hopefully with the extra rest he comes good for the Quarter Final match. I think the 3-1 result of 2007 may just well be reversed in a couple of days! :-)
Michael
Guest
Replace Emmo with Burns.
BES
Guest
Wilkshire - yes please! Carney - no thanks....