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Soccer News of Monday, 13 November 2006

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Ghana-Australia: Injuries force Socceroo changes

Australian coach Graham Arnold has been forced to make a number of changes to his squad that will meet fellow 2006 FIFA World Cup finalists Ghana on Tuesday (Wednesday Australian time) at Loftus Road in London.

Forced to withdraw through injury are defender Lucas Neill plus midfielders Tim Cahill and Josip Skoko. Coming into the squad are Michael Beauchamp, Michael Thwaite and also Kasey Wehrman who has not appeared for the national team since 2001. Last week Ryan Griffiths replaced Scott McDonald in another change to the 18-man squad that was initially announced.

Arnold has also confirmed that defender Craig Moore is in doubt with a groin injury.

?The negative side is obviously the injuries to the main guys but on the positive side it is a game against very good opposition which is going to test these new guys and see where we are at," said Arnold.

"This a great opportunity against quality opposition to give the likes of Patrick Kisnorbo, Ryan Griffiths, Brett Holman, Shane Stefanutto, Kasey Wehrman an opportunity. It also gives me a chance to have a look at all those guys in camp and hopefully broaden the depth in the squad. I've talked before about exposing more players to international football.?

Arnold will also use the match to bring in several young players to train with the squad that are contenders for the Under 23 team. Aaron Downes (Chesterfield), Trent McClenahan (Hereford United), Neil Kilkenny (Birmingham City), Nick Ward (QPR) and teenage attacker James Troisi (Newcastle United) will all train with the squad.

The current Socceroo squad is: John Aloisi (Alaves, Spain), Michael Beauchamp (Nuremberg, Germany), Mark Bresciano (Palermo, Italy), Scott Chipperfield (Basel, Switzerland), Jason Culina (PSV Eindhoven, Netherlands), Brett Emerton (Blackburn Rovers, England), Vince Grella (Parma, Italy), Ryan Griffiths (Rapid Bucharest, Romania), Brett Holman (NEC Nijmegen, Netherlands), Patrick Kisnorbo (Leicester City, England), Craig Moore (Newcastle United, England), Michael Petkovic (Sivasspor, Turkey), Mark Schwarzer (Middlesbrough, England), Shane Stefanutto (SK Lillestrom, Norway), Mile Sterjovski (Basel, Switzerland), Michael Thwaite (Wisla Krakow, Poland), Kasey Wehrman (SK Lillestrom, Norway), Luke Wilkshire (FC Twente, Netherlands).

Australia vs Ghana

Tuesday 14 November, kick-off 7.45pm UK time

(Wednesday 15 November, 6.45am AEDT)

Loftus Rd, London

Television: Match telecast exclusively live on SBS TV from 6.30am AEDT (Check local guides for times)

AUSTRALIA: Shirt: Gold - Shorts: Green - Socks: Gold

GHANA: Shirt: White - Shorts: White - Socks: White

Match Officials:

Referee: Referee: Mark Clattenburg (England)

Assistant Referees: Gavin Ward & James Linington (England)

Fourth Official: Steve Bennett (England)