Goalkeepers
Mat Ryan, FC Copenhagen: Moved to Denmark in search for more game time, but lost the battle for the No 1 shirt to Kamil Grabara upon the latter’s return from injury and has only started one game in the past month. Was recently scrapped for a fixture because of “knee problems” but Socceroos coach Arnold is confident in his fitness.
Andrew Redmayne, Sydney FC: The “Grey Wiggle” has started every game for the Harboursiders this season and looked solid in the weekend’s Sydney derby defeat until he was beaten with 20 minutes to go.
Danny Vuković, Central Coast Mariners: Heads to Qatar having conceded three goals in his final ALM outing before the tournament begins, including a howler for Macarthur’s opener and Jed Drew’s injury-time winner for the Bulls.
Defenders
Kye Rowles, Hearts: Instantly slotted in as a starter upon his move to the Scottish side, only for a broken foot suffered on 28 August to put his World Cup in jeopardy. He returned off the bench last week and appears injury free although his smooth transition back to football was blighted by a red card in the draw with Livingston at the weekend.
Miloš Degenek, Columbus Crew: One of the Socceroos’ most experienced campaigners and unheralded for his versatility, Degenek moved to Columbus in the MLS this season and ended up playing over 2,000 minutes as a centre-back. The American league broke a month ago, but he says he is in “peak shape”.
Harry Souttar, Stoke City: Tore his ACL while playing for the Socceroos in a wet World Cup qualifier against Saudi Arabia last November, but has made progress to the point where Arnold is comfortable in picking him. Began his rehab with Stoke’s Under-23s and marked his return to senior football against Luton Town last week.
Thomas Deng, Albirex Niigata: After a torrid time with injury, the versatile Deng found form and fitness at the back end of the J2 League season as Albirex Niigata secured promotion – their last game was played on 23 October.
Bailey Wright, Sunderland: After being rarely started at the start of Sunderland’s season, Wright has found minutes at the right time, starting their last four league games and even wearing the captain’s armband against Cardiff.
Aziz Behich, Dundee United: Moved to Tannadice Park from Turkey this off-season and is seeing consistent minutes at left-back and on the left wing. The Tangerines, however, sit bottom of the Scottish Premiership with a goal difference of -14.
Joel King, Odense BK: After a promising start to life in Denmark after moving over in the January transfer window, King has fallen out of favour at Odense BK and has not started a league game since August. He was an unused substitute in the weekend’s game against Horsens.
Nathaniel Atkinson, Hearts: An injured ankle put the right-back’s World Cup hopes in jeopardy but he returned to action with a goal in the Europa League and is now set to become the first Tasmanian to play in the World Cup. Was an unused substitute at the weekend.
Fran Karačić, Brescia: Has battled injuries during the season but, when fit, has been a regular starter for Serie B side Brescia. Started at right-back in his club’s recent draws with Genoa and Ascoli, but was absent from the matchday squad for this weekend’s game against Ternana.
Midfielders:
Keanu Baccus, St Mirren: Another member of the squad whose selection has been built off the back of a move to Scotland, Baccus has played 94% of available minutes in Paisley this season before coming on as a substitute in the draw with Rangers on Saturday.
Jackson Irvine, St. Pauli: Seeing minutes and in good form at club level, Irvine plays week in and week out in midfield for German second-division side St. Pauli. Has also worn the armband for Die Kiezkicker this season.
Cammy Devlin, Hearts: The terrier-like Devlin has come on in leaps and bounds for Hearts this season and started in league, cup, and continental competition this season, most recently in the weekend’s draw with Livingston that featured that red card for teammate Rowles.
Riley McGree, Middlesbrough: Departs for Qatar with another high-quality goal to his name after scoring a beauty for Boro against Norwich City on Sunday. Has played over 1,000 minutes this season as a central midfielder, attacker and, most recently, left winger.
If you haven’t seen it yet 🔝🗑️🚀@McgreeRiley added another sublime goal to his collection ⚽️🗂️
— Socceroos (@Socceroos) November 13, 2022
pic.twitter.com/G68q0p8YVB
Ajdin Hrustić, Hellas Verona: The Socceroos’ best player returned to the bench at the weekend after the 26-year-old gave Arnold an almighty scare when he suffered an ankle injury while playing against AC Milan. He did not take to the field in Verona’s defeat to Spezia but Arnold is confident of his fitness before the opener against France.
Aaron Mooy, Celtic: After escaping his contract with Shanghai Port and China’s fierce Covid lockdowns, Mooy signed for Ange Postecoglou and Celtic this season, where he has seen consistent minutes off the bench with intermittent starts, although he did not feature on Sunday.
Forwards
Martin Boyle, Hibernian: Yet another member of the squad who has been in a race against time to recover from an injury, Boyle was in strong form for Hibernian this season only for his World Cup to get thrown into doubt by an injury suffered against St Mirren on October 29. Hasn’t played since and will likely be in pain in Qatar, but is still able to feature.
Garang Kuol, Central Coast Mariners: Signed off in style, scoring twice in the Mariners’ defeat to Macarthur – one a penalty and the other an outrageous finish from a tight angle after bringing down a cross with some excellent control. Is still yet to start a single professional league fixture, but poses a real threat as an impact player off the bench.
𝐖𝐀𝐓𝐂𝐇 𝐎𝐔𝐓 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐋𝐃 𝐆𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐆 𝐊𝐔𝐎𝐋 𝐈𝐒 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐆 💥
— Isuzu UTE A-League (@aleaguemen) November 13, 2022
The 10-man @CCMariners are back on level terms after Kuol rockets one past Nicholas Suman 🚀
This kid is incredible!
Catch all the action LIVE on @ParamountPlusAU 📺
Follow live: https://t.co/WgGodaro6b pic.twitter.com/PL5m2rGwrU
Jason Cummings, Central Coast Mariners: One of ALM’s most in-form players this season, Cummings has a goal and three assists in five games this season for the Mariners, as well as a number of goals disallowed.
Mat Leckie, Melbourne Leckie: Has been one of the form players in the defending premiers’ strong start to this ALM campaign, playing on both the wing and as a 10 in his side’s undefeated start to the season. Was named man-of-the match in the weekend’s win over Newcastle.
Mitch Duke, Fagiano Okayama: Played 70% of available match minutes in the Japanese second tier this season, scoring eight goals and grabbing three assists in 37 games. His season ended on 30 October with a 3-0 defeat to Montedio Yamagata in a J1 League qualification playoff.
Awer Mabil, Cádiz CF: After a few early starts, has been pushed largely to the periphery of La Liga side Cádiz, but he did start the Copa Del Rey match against Real Union on Sunday, playing 77 minutes before being withdrawn.
Craig Goodwin, Adelaide United: After recovering from a pelvic injury during the off-season, Goodwin has found form and fitness at just the right time for Adelaide. He scored from the penalty spot and provided an assist in Friday’s 3-0 win over Melbourne Victory.
Jamie Maclaren, Melbourne City: Continues to score goals, goals and more goals for Melbourne City. He netted the winner early in City’s win over Newcastle, continuing his run of scoring in every game so far this season.
