Injury threatens to stall Tom Rogic's international career as the Socceroos weigh up whether to risk the star midfielder for their clash against Kuwait next month.
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Rogic will likely be left out of the Socceroos squad, which will be named on Friday, for the opening World Cup qualifier in Kuwait City on September 10.
A lack of game time for Celtic has created uncertainty, but it is hoped he will be fit for Australia's return to Canberra on October 10.
The 26-year-old hasn't played since suffering an ankle in the Celtic's Scottish Cup victory three months ago, but has returned to training at Lennoxtown.
He is set to be the most notable absence from the Australian side, which will be a strong indication of the squad Graham Arnold could bring to the capital for their Nepal clash.
There could be some fresh faces involved for the team's first competitive fixture since being knocked out of the Asian Cup, with Tim Cahill and Mile Jedinak leaving a gaping hole in experience.
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Australia post a 4-0 win over the Kuwaitis last October, but Arnold is taking no chances and will the "best squad available" after the Socceroos crashed out of this year's Asian Cup quarter-final.
Australia have dominated across the pitch but have lacked striking power since Cahill hung up his Socceroos' boots last year.
Striker Adam Taggart's goal blitz in South Korea could see him step lead the Socceroo's front line for their opening World Cup qualifier.
The 26-year-old, who joined Suwon Bluewings from the Brisbane Roar in February, leads the K-League scoring charts with 16 goals and also scored against Italian giants Juventus during an All Stars exhibition match.
Arnold is also expected to draw heavily on European-based players after spending six weeks on a scouting mission across the continent.
Germany-based forward Brandon Borello and Groningen winger Ajdin Hrustic are poised for an international recall, while defender Harry Souttar could earn his first cap with Bailey Wright injured and Matthew Spiranovic's club future up in the air.
A-League players, including recently returned stars Robbie Kruse and Andrew Nabbout, could be overlooked given they're still in pre-season before the Australian competition kicks off in October.
Trent Sainsbury's tenure with Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven is set to end in coming days with the Socceroos defender on the cusp of moving to Israeli club, Maccabi Haifa.
Sainsbury is expected to be named in Arnold's squad to play Kuwait but it's understood his future role could come under threat if he went another season without regular first-team football.
He made nine appearances in all competitions last season for PSV in a year that was hampered by fitness and form. While a possible move to Maccabi Haifa would offer Sainsbury more game time in the Israeli Premier League, it will be at a significantly lower standard than the Dutch Eredivisie.
Sainsbury is expected to be named in Arnold's squad to play Kuwait but it's understood his future role in the squad could come under threat if he went another season without regular first-team football.
Meanwhile Australia will send scouts to watch Nepal's matches against Jordan and Chinese Taipei in September.
- With AAP
SOCCEROOS WORLD CUP QUALIFIER
October 10: Australiav Nepal at Canberra Stadium, 7.30pm. Tickets available from Ticketek.
Lucie Bertoldo
Lucie Bertoldo is a sports reporter for the Canberra Times.
Lucie Bertoldo is a sports reporter for the Canberra Times.
