Australia coach calls up Scott McDonald for Scotland friendly

Published on 08/08/2012 11:22

AUSTRALIA coach Holger Osieck has recalled former Celtic striker Scott McDonald for next week’s friendly against Scotland in Edinburgh.

• Middlesborough’s Scott McDonald earns return to Australia squad

• Hearts defender Ryan McGowan set to feature

• Craig Levein named Scotland squad earlier this week

• Scotland play Australia at Easter Road on 15 August

The 28-year-old Middlesbrough forward has not scored in 25 appearances for the Socceroos, and has not featured for his country since being overlooked for the 2010 World Cup finals.

With stalwarts Harry Kewell and Tim Cahill both unavailable, and several other senior players recovering from injuries, Osieck has opted for some experimentation ahead of the next batch of World Cup qualifiers, giving Hearts defender Ryan McGowan and Heracles Almelo’s Jason Davidson a chance.

Lucas Neill will captain the side despite not having a club, while Aston Villa pair Chris Herd and Brett Holman have also been included, but Kewell will sit out as he decides his footballing future and Cahill is committed to remaining with the New York Red Bulls.

Osieck said it was more important for Kewell to sort out his club future rather than embark on international duty.

“It’s very unfortunate for him that right now he is hanging in between with no club and still waiting for some kind of signing and I hope that will work out quickly. I still think he has great potential,” Osieck said.

“Lucas is in a very different situation in that he has been working with clubs and is close to re-signing again with one of the Middle Eastern teams.

“In his role as captain he is very important to me and to the team.”

Australia squad: Mark Bresciano, Alex Brosque, David Carney, Jason Davidson, Adam Federici, Chris Herd, Brett Holman, Mile Jedinak, Neil Kilkenny, Robbie Kruse, Mitch Langerak, Scott McDonald, Ryan McGowan, Lucas Neill, Sasa Ognenovski, Mark Schwarzer, Archie Thompson, Carl Valeri, Luke Wilkshire, Rhys Williams.