Socceroos include newcomers

AUSTRALIA coach Pim Verbeek continues to test out his options ahead of next year’s World Cup after naming three newcomers and recalling Ante Covic and Patrick Kisnorbo to the squad for the friendly against the Republic of Ireland on August 12 at Thomond Park in Limerick.

Verbeek has given plenty of players a chance to impress in his 18-month stint in charge of the national team, but is apparently still testing out his depth with the inclusion of new faces Oliver Bozanic, Aaron Mooy and Nikita Rukavytsya as well as giving another chance to Kisnorbo, Covic and James Holland.

Scott Chipperfield, Vince Grella and Brett Emerton are absentees from the squad which features European-based players only, ruling out the likes of Josh Kennedy and Craig Moore.