Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou is aiming to get a full 90 minutes from skipper Mile Jedinak and hopes for some game time from Mark Bresciano in the final World Cup warm up match against Croatia.
Postecoglou confirmed Jedinak will start the match in Salvador, Brazil on Friday (Saturday 9am AEST) - his first outing since suffering a groin injury in the last round of the English Premier League on May 12.
"If we can get as close to 90 (minutes) out of him as possible that'd be great, but we'll see how he feels," he said.
Veteran creative midfielder Bresciano, who has been recovering from a back complaint, joined team training for the first time on Thursday (Friday AEST).
And a cautious Postecoglou was hoping to give him some minutes against Croatia with the World Cup opener against Chile looming on June 13.
"If we can get him some game time tomorrow night that'll be good but as I said there are still seven days to go before the first game - and two games beyond that at least," he said.
Postecoglou will use the hit-out against Croatia to help settle on his side against Chile.
"Absolutely (there's spots up for grabs)," he said.
"Hopefully tomorrow night we'll have a strong performance but we'll still be tinkering with the side along the way.
"It's important that the side we pick for that game against Chile is the right one, and every training session as well as this game will give us evidence for that."
Tommy Oar will switch from his usual left wing spot, where Matthew Leckie will play, and line up in the playmaker role, with Postecoglou eager to try variations in midfield.
The coach said he plans to keep changing his front third combinations throughout Australia's three group matches against Chile, the Netherlands and Spain.
"If we can mix things around a bit in midfield and up front, the less chance the opposition have to analyse us," he said.
"We've got some real options in the front third, players who can switch positions. Tommy is one of those, comfortable through the middle or out on the left.
"Well certainly be rotating through that area throughout this World Cup."
Postecoglou also said Alex Wilkinson and Matthew Spiranovic will partner in the centre of defence as he wanted to test the combination.
Croatia boast several big names including Real Madrid star Luka Modric, Ivan Rakitic, who also plays in Spain with Seville and Bayern Munich's Mario Mandzukic.
They will be hoping for a good hit-out as they prepare to take on hosts Brazil in the World Cup opener on June 12.
Postecoglou said while a good result was not crucial it would be the perfect confidence builder ahead of facing Chile.
"It would certainly help against a strong team, and assist us in building momentum," he said.
Share
