Verbeek rules out Carle, Kewell and Beauchamp

Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek has exercised the first option on his 39 man squad by deciding not to call up European-based players Nick Carle, Harry Kewell and Michael Beauchamp to the Australian squad ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifier.

Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek has exercised the first option on his 39 man squad by deciding not to call up European-based players Nick Carle, Harry Kewell and Michael Beauchamp to the Australian squad ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifier.

Australia's 2010 World Cup journey, presented by Foxtel, kicks-off against Qatar on 6 February.

Verbeek originally named the large squad to gave him the flexibility to call on players to return from Europe if necessary.

“I have now had six days with the players in Melbourne and I have made the decision that those three players will not be required to travel to Australia,” Verbeek said.

“Obviously, the three players are disappointed that I have not selected them, but I appreciate - as do all Australian fans - that they were available to come if I wanted them to.”

Verbeek also confirmed that so far all the players that were scheduled to fly out have, with only one player left with a match to play.

FFA Head of Medical Services Dr Jeff Steinweg will continue to check all players departing the UK and provide them with individual plans to monitor any concerns from the weekend-s games, deal with jet lag and undertake some exercises on the 24 hour long haul flight.

In other news from the squad, Mark Milligan today returned to Sydney after suffering a broken nose in yesterday-s training match against Melbourne Victory ruling him out of the match against Qatar.

Milligan may still be available to play for Sydney FC in the Hyundai A-League minor semi-final against Queensland Roar at Suncorp Stadium later this week.

Joel Griffiths also left the field early yesterday with hamstring tightness and may not be fit for Wednesday night.

Tickets for the match at the Telstra Dome are available from Ticketmaster, ph 136 100, web - www.ticketmaster.com.au and all Ticketmaster outlets.