HARRY Kewell and Brett Emerton are missing from Australia's squad to take on Japan next Wednesday in Yokohama, while Vince Grella makes a return after a three-match absence.
Emerton suffered a serious knee injury in Blackburn's match against Middlesbrough on the weekend, while Kewell has been battling for fitness after picking up an injury while playing for Galatasaray.
However Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek hasn't ruled out Kewell totally, saying he will consider the former Liverpool player if he plays for his Turkish club this week.
Emerton's Blackburn team-mate Grella comes back in after missing three games through injury and suspension. EPL stars Tim Cahill, Mark Schwarzer and Lucas Neill have all been named, but Mark Viduka's Socceroos comeback will have to wait until the home fixture against Uzbekistan in March.
Scott Chipperfield has been named despite recently failing a medical which thwarted a move from his Swiss club FC Basel to Hertha Berlin.
Jade North returns to the squad having recently transferred from the Newcastle Jets to Incheon United in the Korea Republic, while Mile Jedinak's recent move to Turkey hasn't harmed his national selection prospects.
Craig Moore is the only A-League player in the 22-man squad.
Socceroos squad: Mark Bresciano (U.S. Citta Di Palermo), Tim Cahill (Everton), David Carney (Sheffield United FC), Scott Chipperfield (FC Basel), Chris Coyne (Colchester United FC), Jason Culina (Psv Eindhoven), Adam Federici (Reading FC ), Richard Garcia (Hull City FC), Vincenzo Grella (Blackburn Rovers), Brett Holman (Az Alkmaar), Mile Jedinak (Genclerbirligi Sk), Josh Kennedy (Karlsruher Sc), Scott Mcdonald (Celtic FC), Craig Moore (Queensland Roar), Lucas Neill (West Ham United FC), Jade North (Incheon United FC), Michael Petkovic (Sivasspor), Mark Schwarzer (Fulham FC), Shane Stefanutto (FC Lyn Oslo), Mile Sterjovski (Derby County FC), Carl Valeri (U.S. Grosseto FC), Luke Wilkshire (Fk Dinamo Moscow).