Garcia gets chance as deadline nears
Coach Pim Verbeek will road-test Hull City midfielder Richard Garcia in the Socceroos' friendly against Denmark on Tuesday as he prepares to pick his final 23-man World Cup squad.
Verbeek confirmed he would make five changes to the starting side that beat New Zealand last week, including West Australian Garcia on the right side of midfield.
He will also reunite his first-choice defence against the Danes in Roodepoort, with Luke Wilkshire and Scott Chipperfield recalled, as well as goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer.
And he'll be able to make six substitutions in the match as he prepares to define careers and shatter dreams by jettisoning five of the 28 players he has in camp when he submits his World Cup squad following the game.
"I am not interested in the result at all - of course we like to win but I'm looking for tactical organisation, the way the team defends, the way we build up, the way we attack," Verbeek said on Monday.
"If we win it will be nice. If we lose it will be okay also."
Young midfielders Tommy Oar and James Holland and fourth goalkeeper Eugene Galekovic have already been told they are unlikely to be in the World Cup squad unless there is a spate of injuries, meaning two players have to get the axe.
One defender and one midfielder are likely to feel Verbeek's tap on the shoulder - the only two areas there is fat to trim within a squad needing three goalkeepers and light on recognised strikers.
Midfielder Mark Bresciano admits there is tension building among the Socceroos ahead of the naming of the final squad.
"But that's a positive thing," said Bresciano, who has been named in the starting line-up against the Danes.
"It keeps everyone on their toes, fit and sharp at training, focused on the team and doing well.
"I think it's positive. And the coach is going to have his problems because everyone's fit and doing well."
Bresciano has trained strongly in South Africa, proving he is back to 100 per cent health after back problems cruelled the latter half of his Italian Serie A season with Palermo.
Verbeek will keep the cotton wool wrapped around star attacker Harry Kewell and midfielder Brett Emerton - refusing to risk them against Denmark.
Kewell continues to train solo, restricted to light ball drills and running.
But Emerton, who has been battling a calf problem, returned to full training on Monday.
Verbeek will use Saturday's friendly against the United States - also at Roodepoort - to unveil his best available 11 going into the June 13 World Cup opener against Germany.
Socceroos team to play Denmark: Mark Schwarzer, Luke Wilkshire, Craig Moore, Lucas Neill, Scott Chipperfield, Vince Grella, Jason Culina, Richard Garcia, Tim Cahill, Mark Bresciano, Josh Kennedy.
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