Socceroos coach Guus Hiddink will phone Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez and Newcastle manager Graeme Souness in an effort to boost Australia’s hopes of qualifying for the World Cup finals in Germany next year.

Leinster fly-half Christian Warner wants to go home to Australia.

Harry Kewell has suffered a setback in his bid to regain fitness for the games which could define Liverpool’s season.

Gerard Houllier is expected to turn down the chance to become involved with Australia’s 2006 World Cup campaign when he meets with the country’s soccer chiefs in Athens.