Australia have named their provisional 31-man squad for this summer’s World Cup in South Africa.
The quad includes Harry Kewell, who has had a hamstring injury for most of the season.
However, Australia manager Pim Verbeek is confident the 31-year-old forward will be fit for his side’s Group D opener against Germany on 13 June.
“If a club team has five weeks to prepare for a competition, they’re very happy so there’s no problem,” he said.
“Harry is one of those players that can perform without any preparation.
“He can do something special during a game and that’s what I’m counting on.
“Harry’s a special class and I will pick Harry and take him into the World Cup even if he’s not fit yet.”
Eleven English-based players have been named in the squad, including midfielder Richard Garcia, who has not played for Hull for over a month because of a knee injury.
Australia squad:
Adam Federici (Reading), Eugene Galekovic (Adelaide United), Brad Jones (Middlesbrough), Mark Schwarzer (Fulham); Michael Beauchamp (Al-Jazira), David Carney (FC Twente) Scott Chipperfield (Basle), Shane Lowry (Aston Villa), Mark Milligan (JEF United), Craig Moore (unattached), Lucas Neill (Galatasaray), Jade North (Tromso), Luke Wilkshire (Dinamo Moscow), Rhys Williams (Middlesbrough); 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, Brett Holman (both AZ Alkmaar), Mile Jedinak (Genclerbirligi), Tommy Oar (FC Utrecht), Carl Valeri (Sassuolo), Dario Vidosic (Nurnberg); Josh Kennedy (Nagoya Grampus), Harry Kewell (Galatasaray), Scott McDonald (Middlesbrough), Nikita Rukavytsya (FC Twente).
