After Graham Arnold revealed his latest Subway Socceroos squad for the upcoming international friendlies against England and New Zealand, we outline some of the main story lines.
The Socceroos will be back in action for two matches in London against the Three Lions and All Whites on October 14 and 18 (AEDT) as they continue fine tuning their preparation ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ qualifiers in November and upcoming AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ campaign early next year.
Arnold has named a strong 23-player squad along with three train-ons to bring the total to 26 for the camp.
Returning players
A host of experienced members return to the Subway Socceroos for the pair of fixtures, headlined by the recall of Massimo Luongo. The 43-capped international is back for the first time since September 2019, with his last appearance coming in the AFC Asian Cup 2019™. Having recently turned 31, the holding midfielder remains in his prime and has been a key catalyst in Ipswich Town's auspicious start in the EFL Championship.
Craig Goodwin returns to the fray for the first time since March and will keen his scorching club form can translate into the national team having found the net in his opening three clashes in the Saudi Pro League for Al Wehda.
After missing the Mexico camp in Dallas due to the removal of his appendix, young, dynamic defender Jordan Bos is back and will look to add to his two caps. Fresh from moving to Grasshopper Club Zurich, Awer Mabil returns to the squad for the first time since March.
Brandon Borrello is reinstated having scored three goals in the Australia Cup 2023 with his last cap occurring against Argentina in China. The now 28-year-old scored his first Socceroos goal against Ecuador in Melbourne.
Goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne has also earned a recall and was most recently in Arnold's squad for that March window against Ecuador.
Maiden call-ups
Lewis Miller is the only player to receive his first-ever call-up in this squad. The 23-year-old has impressed at right-back for Hibernian this season, scoring once and providing two assists in 12 matches across all competitions.
Miller joined Hibs in June 2022 following several years at Central Coast Mariners. He also appeared in every game for the Subway Olyroos at the AFC U-23 Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2022™.
Potential debutants
Having been unused substitutes in Australia's previous two matches against Argentina and Mexico, Alessandro Circati and Tom Glover could feature this time around and achieve a lifelong dream.
Nineteen-year-old Circati has continued his dominant form in defence for Parma as the unbeaten Crociati sit top in Serie B. The centre-back also scored his first professional goal against Sampdoria the other week with Graham Arnold watching on in the stands of the Stadio Ennio Tardini.
Although yet to make an appearance in the Championship for Middlesbrough, Glover has looked assured in all three EFL Cup matches the goalkeeper has played in, registering a clean sheet in his most recent outing against Bradford City.
Train-on players
Like he did during the March window with Nestory Irankunda, Graham Arnold has named three train-on players for the squad. Alex Robertson is one of those who already has two senior caps to his name and has been one of the standouts on loan at Portsmouth, who provisionally sit top of the EFL League One table.
Meanwhile, Mohamed Toure has been named after being on the radar for some time. After previously being named in various Australia youth camps during his time at Adelaide United, Toure received his first call up to Australia last month for the Subway Olyroos' Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ Qualifiers but had to withdraw due to injury. The 19-year-old is currently on loan at Ligue 2 side Paris FC from French top-flight outfit Reims.
Patrick Yazbek has also been brought into the squad due to his strong form with Norwegian club Viking FK. The 21-year-old is currently in the Subway Olyroos side and appeared in the the successful AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ Qualifiers last month.
Upcoming matches
England v Australia - International Friendly
Friday, 13 October
Wembley Stadium, London UK
Kick-off: 7.45pm local / 5.45am AEDT (Saturday, 14 October)
Australia v New Zealand - International Friendly
Tuesday, 17 October
Gtech Community Stadium, Brentford, London UK
Kick-off: 7.45pm local / 5.45am AEDT (Wednesday, 18 October)
Tickets: Purchase Here
The upcoming Subway Socceroos matches will be broadcast live and exclusive on 10, 10 Play and Paramount+.
As always check your local guides.