Viduka left out of Socceroos squad

Mark Viduka has until the end of the week to decide his international future after
he was left out of an extended squad for Australia's remaining three World Cup
qualifiers.

The 33-year-old striker was not among a 30-man squad named on Wednesday for matches
against Qatar (Doha, June 7), Bahrain (Sydney, June 10) and Japan (Melbourne, June
17), from which Australia only need one point to secure World Cup qualification.
But Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek remains hopeful Viduka could still make his
long-awaited return after not playing since the 2007 Asian Cup.
Viduka is off-contract following Newcastle's relegation from the English Premier
League and is still weighing up his club and country future, but Verbeek insists
it's not the end of the road just yet.
"I still have one spot open and that's a spot for him so it's up to him," Verbeek
told reporters from the Netherlands.
"He is not on the list because I had a deal with him ... that he has this week to
make up his mind and to decide if he will be part of the Socceroos for the upcoming
games.
"For us, he is more than welcome, and if he makes the decision not to play any more
then we have to respect his decision."
Verbeek did not offer a "gut feeling" as to which way Viduka was leaning.
"From the first moment he always showed interest in the Socceroos," Verbeek said.
"He definitely didn't say `I'm not interested at all', he just said `give me time, I
want to focus on Newcastle and then I will give you my decision'.
"I'm very happy with the selection so far, but if you can have a player with his
quality in your squad then I have to pick him."
Verbeek named his usual big guns for the upcoming matches and confirmed Tim Cahill
would join the training camp in Dubai on Monday following Everton's FA Cup clash
with Chelsea on Sunday morning (AEST).
The Dutchman also made several interesting selections following a recent scouting
trip to Europe.
Most notable were the inclusions of promising Middlesbrough defender Rhys Williams
and former Queensland Roar midfielder Dario Vidosic, who impressed this season with
German side Nuremberg.
Williams, who made 17 appearances on loan this season for Premier League-bound
Burnley, recently turned down Wales to commit his future to Australia.
"I saw him play three times and he did very well in his time at Burnley," Verbeek
said of Williams, who will be in contention for a starting berth with Michael
Beauchamp and Craig Moore out injured for all three matches and Luke Wilkshire
missing for the Qatar game.
"Now he has to show us that he can be part of the Socceroos in the future."
Former A-League player Nick Carle also earned his first call-up under Verbeek after
figuring regularly for Crystal Palace this season.
"I think Nicky deserves to be a part of this bigger selection ... if he deserves to
be part of the final 18 that's what he has to show," Verbeek said.
Out of left field was a recall for defender Adrian Madaschi, who played for the
Socceroos nearly five years ago and impressed Verbeek while playing for Portosummaga
in Italy's third tier.
There were also call-ups for Middlesbrough `keeper Brad Jones and Asian-based
defenders Mark Milligan and Jade North.
Australia squad: Mark Bresciano, Jacob Burns, Tim Cahill, Nick Carle, David Carney,
Scott Chipperfield, Chris Coyne, Jason Culina, Bruce Djite, Richard Garcia, Vince
Grella, Brett Holman, Mile Jedinak, Brad Jones, Josh Kennedy, Harry Kewell, Adrian
Madaschi, Scott McDonald, Mark Milligan, Lucas Neill, Jade North, Michael Petkovic,
Mark Schwarzer, Matthew Spiranovic, Shane Stefanutto, Mile Sterjovski, Carl Valeri,
Dario Vidosic, Luke Wilkshire, Rhys Williams.