Australia captain Mile Jedinak has been named in a preliminary 30-man squad for the crunch World Cup qualifiers against Japan and Thailand as he battles to recover from a groin injury.
The defensive midfielder was forced to miss the Confederations Cup in Russia and is yet to resume club duties with Aston Villa in the English Championship.
Defender Brad Smith, who also missed the Confederations Cup, has been recalled in Ange Postecoglou's squad for the August 31 match away to Japan and the final clash at home to Thailand on September 5.
The squad will be trimmed to 23 players next week.