Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek has been urged to put aside the Melbourne Victory's disappointing A-League championship defence when it comes time to select his squad for next month's World Cup qualifier.

Victory coach Ernie Merrick said he hoped his club would be well represented in the predominantly A-League Socceroos squad to play Qatar on February 6 in Melbourne, and several pre-match training camps this month.

Verbeek could name a squad for the opening camp as early as this week.

Striker Archie Thompson appears a certain selection, but goalkeeper Michael Theoklitos did his chances no harm with a superb performance between the sticks in Melbourne's 5-2 win over Central Coast on Monday night.

Thompson's striking partner Danny Allsopp, who played for the Socceroos in their pre-Asian Cup friendly against Uruguay in June, made a timely return to form with two goals on Monday night.

And a selection bolter for Verbeek's first squad since his appointment last month may be Olyroos midfielder Nick Ward, who impressed in his first start for the Victory since returning to Australia following an ill-fated stint in England.

Merrick was reluctant to single out individuals, though he believes several of his players should be in Verbeek's thoughts despite the team's less-than-impressive overall performance this season.

But top of Merrick's list for the Socceroos would appear to be Thompson and Allsopp, who showed what they are capable of by ripping apart the Mariners' defence on Monday night, and goalkeeper Theoklitos, who has never played for his country.

"Daniel and Archie were really slick and it was great to see the two of them performing well, and there's a Socceroos camp coming up and I hope several of our players get the opportunity to impress the new coach," Merrick said.

"There's some good keepers in the league, but I think we're very lucky with Michael Theoklitos.

"He's had a tough year but he's still had five clean sheets and done extremely well.

"The new coach has got a very tough job, but Michael certainly would not let him down if he got the opportunity."

The first of Verbeek's training camps is likely to be held in either Sydney or Melbourne.

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