Verbeek adds three as Moore suffers cancer scare

Socceroos Head Coach, Pim Verbeek, has included three more Hyundai A-League players in the Australian team selected to play Bahrain next week in the 2010 FIFA World Cup Asia group qualifier in Bahrain.

Socceroos Head Coach, Pim Verbeek, has included three more Hyundai A-League players in the Australian team selected to play Bahrain next week in the 2010 FIFA World Cup Asia group qualifier in Bahrain.

Earlier in the week, Verbeek named a 24 man squad that included Vincenzo Grella, Matthew Spiranovic and Craig Moore all of whom are now ruled out of the match.

Newcastle Jets pair of Jade North and Mark Milligan, plus Central Coast Mariners Mile Jedinak have come to replace the trio.

Grella sustained an injury in his match for Blackburn Rovers last weekend while Spiranovic suffered an ankle injury at his Club's training yesterday.

Craig Moore has been ruled out after undergoing surgery for testicular cancer in Brisbane yesterday, announced by his manager this evening.

Verbeek said he was taken aback when he heard the news about Moore.

"It's always a shock to hear of a diagnosis like this but I am encouraged by the prognosis from the medical practitioner. I speak for the entire team in wishing him a speedy recovery."

Football Federation Australia (FFA) CEO, Ben Buckley, added that the entire football family would wish Craig all the best.

"As Pim said, we are encouraged by the advice from the medical practitioner.

"I am sure that, with Craig's legendary toughness, as well as the best of medical care, his age and his general level of health and fitness that Craig will respond well to treatment," Buckley said.

North and Milligan will be the first of the Socceroos squad to arrive in Bahrain on Saturday.