Source: Team_Talk
Prem duo named in Socceroos squad
Mark Schwarzer and Tim Cahill have been named in Australia's squad for a friendly just three days before the Premier League kick-off.[LNB] The Socceroos have included 13 players from their World Cup squad in the 20-man group for next Wednesday's friendly against Slovenia in Ljubljana.[LNB]Galatasaray defender Lucas Neill will captain the side, with Fulham's Schwarzer in goal and Everton midfielder Cahill also involved just ahead of the new season.[LNB]Emerging Socceroos and former Adelaide team-mates Bruce Djite and Nathan Burns were also named in Han Berger's party for the Australians' first game since they went out in the group stages in South Africa, but there are no places for Harry Kewell, Vince Grella, Mark Bresciano, Brett Emerton or Josh Kennedy.[LNB]National technical director Berger said Football Federation Australia (FFA) had discussed the Slovenia match with the likes of Kewell and Emerton and it was decided their interests would be better served staying with their clubs, but they will be available for the friendlies against Switzerland and Poland in September.[LNB]"A number of players are not currently available, we discussed this fixture with a number of players, and it was clear that it was important for them to consolidate their positions with their clubs, they missed part of the preparation because of the World Cup," said the Dutchman, who will stand in as coach for this match before the expected announcement of the permanent replacement for Pim Verbeek later this month.[LNB]"It is also in our interest that these players will be playing on a regular basis for their clubs and they are available for the matches in September and after that."[LNB]Scott Chipperfield and Craig Moore have both retired from international football since the World Cup, while A-League players Jason Culina and Michael Beauchamp have also been left out with the local competition set to begin this week.[LNB]There is no recall for Middlesbrough striker Scott McDonald, who surprisingly missed out on a trip to South Africa after being cut from the squad at the penultimate stage by Verbeek.[LNB]Australia squad to take on Slovenia: Nathan Burns, Tim Cahill, David Carney, Bruce Djite, Adam Federici, Richard Garcia, James Holland, Brett Holman, Mile Jedinak, Shane Lowry, Mark Milligan, Jon McKain, Lucas Neill, Jade North, Thomas Oar, Nikita Rukavytsya, Mark Schwarzer, Carl Valeri, Dario Vidosic, Luke Wilkshire.
