We’re just over a couple of weeks away from the Caltex Socceroos highly-anticipated clash with England at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light.
We take a look at the uncapped players and new faces included in Ange Postecoglou’s squad for the match on May 28 (AEST).
Caltex Socceroos squad named for England clash
Jamie Maclaren
The young Brisbane Roar striker has been banging down the door for a call-up to Postecoglou’s squad after a breakout season in the Hyundai A-League. Maclaren ended the campaign with 20 goals - the most ever by an Aussie in an A-League season - and also took out the NAB Young Footballer of the Year award.
With speed to burn, loads of energy and a good eye for goal, the 22-year-old’s style suits the Socceroos’ system and he’ll come into camp with a stack of confidence.
Stefan Mauk
The spritely midfielder joined Adelaide United [from Melbourne City] midway through the A-League season and was the final ingredient to helping the Reds go on and clinch their maiden championship. The 20-year-old is another that has come through the AIS system and has played for Australia at every youth level.
But this is his first senior call-up after a campaign which included an impressive seven goals and four assists from midfield. Mauk is your typical box-to-box midfielder and was recently compared to Italian legend Francesco Totti by former Socceroo Harry Kewell.
Craig Goodwin
What an amazing couple of weeks it’s been for the 24-year-old flyer. Goodwin helped Adelaide United win the Premiership/Championship double in the A-League, signed with Dutch club Sparta Rotterdam and now earns a re-call to the Socceroos after playing two games back in 2013.
And he certainly deserves his second chance. The versatile left-sided player – able to play both at fullback and on the wing – has all the attributes needed in the modern game and that excites Postecoglou. He scored four goals and had four assists for the Reds in the recent A-League season and his delivery from wide areas is also a huge feature of his game.
Milos Degenek
The 1860 Munich defender gets his first call-up to the Caltex Socceroos having previously represented Australia at both under-17 and Olyroos level – either side of turning out for Serbia’s under-19s. But the 22-year-old is a bona fide Aussie now and deserves his shot in Ange’s squad.
A graduate of the AIS, Degenek is powerfully-built and deceptively quick for a big guy and should fit right into to Postecoglou’s all-action style. He’s been in strong form for the inconsistent Munich side in 2.Bundesliga, playing 24 matches this season.
Brad Inman
The 24-year-old midfielder pledged his allegiance to the Caltex Socceroos a few years ago after previously playing for Scotland at youth level. Born in Adelaide, Inman played his youth football in the Hunter region of NSW before signing for English club Newcastle United in 2009.
He’s spent the last four seasons at League One club Crewe Alexandra and has matured into a well-rounded midfielder with an eye for goal. He scored 10 goals this season from 39 games. He’ll relish coming up against England in his first experience of the national team.