Qantas Socceroos coach Holger Osieck has named a strong squad for upcoming matches with Chris Herd earning a call-up and Nikita Rukavytsa earning a recall to the national fold.
Qantas Socceroos Head Coach Holger Osieck today named an extended squad of 26-players for the upcoming international friendly match with Denmark (Copenhagen, 2 June 2012) and 2014 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers against Oman (Muscat, 8 June) and Japan (Brisbane, 12 June).
Tim Cahill, Nathan Coe, Adam Federici, Brett Holman, Mile Jedinak, Josh Kennedy, Neil Kilkenny, Robbie Kruse, Carl Valeri, Rhys Williams and Michael Zullo are back in the Qantas Socceroos squad after sitting out the match against Saudi Arabia in February.
Matt McKay and Luke Wilkshire also return to the Qantas Socceroos squad after missing the last match against through suspension after collecting two yellow cards in previous matches during qualification.
Western Australian Chris Herd will join the Qantas Socceroos in camp for the first time and will also have a chance to make his senior international debut.
Currently playing with Aston Villa in the English Premier League, Herd had been selected for the Qantas Socceroos squad in November last year for the Oman and Thailand matches in Muscat and Bangkok, but injury prevented him from joining the squad on that occasion.
Fellow Western Australian, Nikita Rukavytsya makes a long awaited return to the Qantas Socceroos squad after last being selected for the international friendly against Germany last March following solid performances for his German club, Hertha Berliner.
Osieck will reduce the Qantas Socceroos squad to 23 players prior to the 2014 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifier against Oman in Muscat.
The Qantas Socceroos have played Denmark on two previous occasions with the Qantas Socceroos most recently defeating Denmark 1-0 at Ruimsig Stadium prior to the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.
The Qantas Socceroos will be preparing for the final round of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers, whilst Denmark will be preparing, for Euro 2012, which begins on Friday 8 June where they have been drawn in group B alongside Germany, the Netherlands and Portugal.
Following the Denmark match, the Qantas Socceroos will travel to Muscat to prepare for their 2014 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifier against Oman.
All three matches will be will be broadcast Live and Exclusive by FOX SPORTS in Australia.
Tickets for the Qantas Socceroos match against Japan in Brisbane are currently on sale. Click here to purchase your tickets.
The full Qantas Socceroos squad is as follows:
Mark Bresciano, Alex Brosque, Tim Cahill, David Carney, Nathan Coe (GK), Adam Federici (GK), Chris Herd, Brett Holman, Mile Jedinak, Joshua Kennedy, Harry Kewell,Neil Kilkenny, Robbie Kruse, Matt McKay, Mark Milligan, Lucas Neill, Jade North, Sasa Ognenovski, Nikita Rukavytsa, Mark Schwarzer (gk), Matt Spiranovic, Archie Thompson, Carl Valeri, Luke Wilkshire, Rhys Williams, Michael Zullo.