Coach says Viduka still in Aussie soccer plans

Striker Mark Viduka may have started just once for Newcastle United this season but he is still in coach Pim Verbeek’s World Cup plans for Australia, reports said Sunday.

Viduka, who skippered the Socceroos into the second round of the 2006 World Cup in Germany, has been troubled by a chronic Achilles injury and has made just six appearances for the relegation-threatened English Premier League club this campaign.

Australia are just one point away from qualifying for next year’s World Cup in South Africa and the Dutch coach refuses to scratch the 33-year-old target man from his plans.

Verbeek denied Viduka’s international career was finished if he failed to play in the Socceroos’ three remaining World Cup qualifiers in June.

“It’s my responsibility to select the best team and if Viduka is showing he’s the same as he has been before, there’s no reason not to pick him (for the World Cup),” Verbeek told the Sunday Telegraph.

“That option is always open. I always have Viduka on the list to watch and to speak with.

“That’s nothing to do with the other strikers, because I’m very pleased with my strikers. But anything can happen (before the World Cup).”

When Verbeek last met Viduka in October, the Newcastle striker indicated his desire to return to the national team.

“If he shows he’s the same Mark Viduka as we know him, then, yeah, he’s part of the group,” Verbeek said.

“But he has to show me and everybody that he didn’t lose (that) in one year.

“That’s still a big possibility for a player of his age who didn’t play for one year, that he never comes back to his normal level. Then it’s a pity for him and a pity for us.”

Verbeek and his coaching staff will spend the next seven weeks in Europe checking on the form and fitness of Australia’s World Cup candidates ahead of the next qualifier against Qatar in Doha on June 6.