Australia manager Ange Postecoglou has kept faith with Tim Cahill by including the veteran midfielder in his squad for two pivotal World Cup qualifiers against Iraq and the UAE.
Cahill, 36, now plays for Melbourne City after 18 years abroad but has been unable to string together a series of games due to suspension and not being picked.
But he was among the 30-man squad for matches against Iraq in Tehran on March 23 and the UAE in Sydney five days later.
Also included were Tomi Juric, Massimo Luongo and Mitch Langerak, who all missed the 2-2 draw with Thailand in Bangkok last November.
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Postecoglou said the experience of players like Cahill, who has scored 48 goals in 94 games, was crucial to a squad featuring seven uncapped players.
“It is encouraging to have the experience of Tim Cahill, Tomi Juric, Mass Luongo, Mitch Langerak and James Troisi back in the squad,” he said.
“But we also have some players who have been on the fringe who have been knocking on the door of both the squad and the starting side.”
Cahill made a telling contribution in the reverse fixture against the UAE in Abu Dhabi, arriving from the bench to score the game's only goal in the 75th minute.
The squad will be trimmed to 23 following this weekend’s domestic matches around the world.
“We have named an extended squad with a few notable returns but we will make a final decision after this weekend’s matches around Australia, Asia and Europe,” Postecoglou said.
“With the Asian leagues and some countries in Europe only just starting I wanted to have another look.”
Australia is currently third in Group B on nine points, one adrift of Saudi Arabia and Japan. The UAE are a point further back in fourth. Only the top two from Groups A and B automatically qualify for the finals in Russia.
Australia's provisional squad: Mustafa Amini, Aziz Behich, Nathan Burns, Milos Degenek, Ryan Edwards, Alex Gersbach, Craig Goodwin, Rhyan Grant, Chris Ikonomidis, Jackson Irvine, Mile Jedinak, James Jeggo, Tomi Juric, Robbie Kruse, Mitchell Langerak, Mathew Leckie, Massimo Luongo, Awer Mabil, Riley McGree, Matthew McKay, Mark Milligan, Aaron Mooy, Mathew Ryan, Trent Sainsbury, Brad Smith, James Trosi, Daniel Vukovic, Rhys Williams, Bailey Wright
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