Australia coach Pim Verbeek has decided to see for himself whether Harry Kewell will be ready.
Verbeek Names Kewell, Youth To Australia Provisional Squad
The former Liverpool and current Galatasaray attacker has been out for 2010 with a groin injury and was a doubt to make this roster.
That doubt, however, did not extend to Verbeek, the manager told the Sydney Morning Herald:
“There are rumours, there are opinions, but Harry will be ready,” Verbeek said.
”The medical staff and Harry himself convinced me that Harry will be OK.
“We still have five weeks to prepare for the first game against Germany, so don’t worry, Harry will be there.”
Also included in the Socceroos’ squad is 18-year-old FC Utrecht midfielder Thomas Oar, who has received oes cap before Monday’s appointment. Oar has yet to feature with his Eredivisie side after moving there in January from the A-League’s Brisbane Roar.
Aston Villa trainee Shane Lowry has also been named to the team, though the defender has never been capped. Lowry, 20-years-old, is joined by fellow youngsters James Holland (20), Rhys Williams (21), and Nikita Rukavytsyva (22).
Pim Verbeek’s squad also includes stalwarts Tim Cahill, captain Lucas Neill, Mark Schwarzer, Brett Emerton, Mark Bresciano, and Scott Chipperfield.
Verbeek named 31 players to his provisional squad, one more than is normally permitted. Goalkeeper Eugene Galekovic will not be registered with FIFA as a squad member.
Australia will start its World Cup camp on May 19 ahead of a May 25 friendly against New Zealand.
Australian National Team Provisional Squad
Goalkeepers
Adam Fedreici (Reading)
Eugene Galekovic (Adelaide United)
Brad Jones (Middlesbrough)
Mark Schwarzer (Fulham)
Defenders
Michael Beauchamp (Al-Jazira)
David Carney (FC Twente)
Scott Chipperfield (FC Basel)
Shane Lowry (Aston Villa)
Mark Milligan (JEF United)
Craig Moore (Unttached)
Lucas Neill (Galatasaray)
Jade North (Tromno)
Luke Wilkshire (Dinamo Moscow)
Rhys Williams (Middlesbrough)
Midfielders
Mark Bresciano (Palermo)
Tim Cahill (Everton)
Nicky Carle (Crystal Palace)
Jason Culina (Gold Coast United)
Brett Emerton (Blackburn)
Richard Garcia (Hull)
Vince Grella (Blackburn)
James Holland (AZ Alkmaar)
Brett Holman (AZ Alkmaar)
Mile Jedinak (Antalyaspor)
Tommy Oar (FC Utrecht)
Carl Valeri (Sassuolo)
Dario Vidosic (Duisburg)
Forwards
Joshua Kennedy (Nagoya Grampus)
Harry Kewell (Galatasaray)
Scott McDonald (Middlesbrough)
Nikita Rukavytsya (KSV Roeselare)
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