Goal machine Scott McDonald has staked a compelling case for a Socceroos starting berth against Qatar on Wednesday night as coach Pim Verbeek contemplates a embarrassment of striker riches.

McDonald netted twice in Celtic's 5-1 Scottish Cup rout of Kilmarnock, taking him to 21 goals in all competitions this season.

The 24-year-old must now be a huge chance to earn just his sixth cap for his country in the World Cup qualifying opener against Qatar in front of more than 50,000 at Telstra Dome in his home town of Melbourne.

Choosing his strikers is looming as Verbeek's biggest selection headache for the match - with five in-form goalscorers vying for spots.

German-based striker Josh Kennedy also found the net in European club matches this weekend, scoring for new side Karlsruhe against former club Nurnberg in a 2-0 win.

The A-League's standout player this season Joel Griffiths, who is battling hamstring tightness ahead of Wednesday's match, must be some chance if fit.

And veteran John Aloisi, who averages a goal every two games for his country, and Melbourne star Archie Thompson are also in the frame.

Thompson came on as a second half substitute to score and save the Socceroos' blushes in a 1-1 draw with his club side Melbourne in a training match on Saturday.

McDonald missed the Asian Cup but played in the Socceroos' last fixture - the 1-0 win over Nigeria in London in November - and looms large as having at least one striker's role sewn up.

Experienced Craig Moore looks set to reprise his World Cup central defensive pairing with Lucas Neill with Verbeek's decision to leave German-based Michael Beauchamp out of his squad.

Midfield will also provide some interesting selection dilemmas for Verbeek, especially in replacing absent Vince Grella.

Italian-based Carl Valeri, who played against Nigeria, and Jacob Burns are likely to come into contention as defensive midfielders.

Tim Cahill, Jason Culina, Mark Bresciano and Luke Wilkshire provide plenty of attacking midfield options.

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