Coach Frank Farina dismissed speculation of tension in the camp as occasional Socceroo Harry Kewell joins the squad for Tuesday's friendly against South Africa in time for new boss John O'Neill's meeting with the players.

Kewell was expected in camp, but has been angered by incorrect reports that Australian Soccer Association chief O'Neill would single him out for private crisis talks after he missed last month's game in Venezuela with an ankle injury.

The Liverpool midfielder says the condition prevents him playing after long haul flights - effectively ruling him out of all games in Australia and World Cup qualifiers.

While Farina said there was no tension from the situation, he would be speaking to Kewell, who played in Liverpool's 0-0 draw with Leicester on Sunday and was expected to be fit to take on the South Africans at Loftus Road in London.

"I'm happy, I don't see tension rising," he said.

"One of my roles is to talk to the players and make sure everyone gets to understand where we're heading. Of course it's my job to speak to Harry.

"John O'Neill will be addressing the squad, it's not a matter of John O'Neill talking to Harry Kewell, he'll be addressing the 22-man squad and that includes Harry Kewell."

While much attention focuses on Kewell's ankle and availability, Tim Cahill promised the wait will be worth it when he finally makes his international debut on Tuesday.

After four years fighting FIFA rules which barred Cahill from playing for the country of his birth, Farina has finally secured the player described by some pundits as the best midfielder in England outside the premier league.

"It's the start of big things, I haven't worked this hard for nothing," Millwall's goal scoring midfielder said at the Socceroos' camp in Burnham Beeches, west of London.

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