Ange Postecoglou's Socceroos
POSTECOGLOU'S NEXT-GEN SOCCEROOS
The 50 players called up in 2015/16 (appearances in brackets)
STRIKERS
Tim Cahill (13), Nathan Burns (13), Tomi Juric (10), Apostolos Giannou (1). Others: Jamie Maclaren
Maclaren gets his chance to audition as Cahill's long-term replacement this month. Burns, Juric, Giannou all have strong qualities and will remain in the qualifying frame - but each could use more goals at club level.
WINGERS
Matt Leckie (14), James Troisi (10), Robbie Kruse (8), Tommy Oar (7), Chris Ikonomidis (3). Others: Ben Halloran
Kruse's return to fitness is a huge boost. Troisi needs more minutes at his Chinese club. Postecoglou's amorphous attacking style means attacking midfielders and wingers - like Oar, Massimo Luongo and Tom Rogic - can swap and share roles.
ATTACKING MIDFIELD
Massimo Luongo (14), Aaron Mooy (9), Tom Rogic (6), Oliver Bozanic (2). Others: Terry Antonis, Daniel De Silva, Stefan Mauk, Brad Inman, Mark Bresciano (ret)
Amazing club seasons have surged the Socceroos' stocks of Mooy and Rogic after both missed the Asian Cup. Easy to believe we haven't seen the best of Luongo yet. Plenty of youth pushing up.
DEFENSIVE MIDFIELD
Mark Milligan (12), Mile Jedinak (10), Matt McKay (9), Jackson Irvine (1). Others: Luke Brattan, Milos Degenek
Captain Jedinak starts the big games when fit. Milligan and McKay can either deputise or work alongside Jedinak as needs must. Each are aged over 30 but have enough in the tank to get Australia to Russia.
LEFT BACK
Jason Davidson (9), Aziz Behich (4), Brad Smith (2), James Meredith (2). Others: Alex Gersbach, Craig Goodwin
Postecoglou has gone searching in this position since the Asian Cup. Davidson hasn't been picked this year for the Socceroos and Liverpool's Brad Smith looks like Australia's long-term left back if he can maintain the role at club level.
RIGHT BACK
Ivan Franjic (7), Josh Risdon (3), Tarek Elrich (3), Ryan McGowan (2). Others: Jason Geria, Chris Herd
Form and fitness have held Ivan Franjic back; this is the most open position in the team right now. McGowan has done well but is more natural in the centre. Risdon and Geria enjoy opportunities this month.
CENTRE BACK
Trent Sainsbury (10), Matthew Spiranovic (9), Bailey Wright (9), Alex Wilkinson (5), Luke DeVere (1). Others: Tomislav Mrcela
Asian Cup-winners Sainsbury and Spiranovic are most likely Postecoglou's first-choice pair but Bailey Wright has been a top find by the coach.
GOALKEEPER
Mat Ryan (10), Adam Federici (5), Mitch Langerak (1). Others: Eugene Galekovic, Alex Cisak, Mark Birighitti
An Australian strong-suit for generations. Ryan is the rock-solid No.1. Langerak's quality keeps him in the frame despite an injury-plagued 18 months.
