Viduka given a week to commit to Australia

BRISBANE, Australia (AP) -Newcastle striker Mark Viduka has been given until the end of the week to decide his international future after being left out of Australia's squad for next month's World Cup qualifiers.

The 33-year-old forward was not included in Australia's 30-man squad announced Wednesday for three Asian qualifiers, raising speculation that his career finished with Newcastle's relegation from the English Premier League last weekend.

But Australia coach Pim Verbeek said he'd given Viduka, who is off contract with Newcastle, until the weekend to make up his mind after a tumultuous season.

Asked if Viduka's career was over, Verbeek remained hopeful the powerful striker will return.

"No, oh no, definitely not. He's not on the list because I had a deal with him that he could make up his mind after the (last) Newcastle game,'' Verbeek said in a telephone conference from the Netherlands. "I have one spot open, and that's a spot for him. It's up to him. The ball is completely on his side.''

Viduka struggled with injuries all season before a timely return to form to help the fruitless effort to keep Newcastle in the top flight.

"We know his situation - a long time injured, played the last five, six games straight. Relegated. End of contract - and he's not the youngest player any more,'' Verbeek said. "I give him time to make the decision.''

Verbeek said his Viduka had indicated he was interested in another World Cup campaign. Australia needs only one point from its remaining three Asian qualifiers - starting June 6 in Qatar - to seal a place at South Africa 2010.

"Mark, from the first moment, always showed interest in the Socceroos,'' Verbeek said. "He just said, 'Give me time. I want to focus on Newcastle. Then I'll give you my decision.'

"That's fair enough, isn't it? I'm very happy with the selection so far. But if you can have a player of that quality available ... then you have to pick him up.''

Viduka was integral to Australia's run to the second round at the 2006 World Cup in Germany, where the Socceroos lost on a late penalty to eventual champion Italy.

Everton midfielder Tim Cahill, West Ham defender Lucas Neill, Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer and former Liverpool winger Harry Kewell, now with Turkish giant Galatasaray, were included in Verbeek's squad for the away match against Qatar and the home matches against Bahrain on June 10 in Sydney and Japan on June 17 in Melbourne.

Among the new faces in the squad was 20-year-old Rhys Williams, who played for the Wales under-21s 10 times but qualifies for Australia.

Williams, contracted to Middlesbrough, was loaned to Burnley and helped them ultimately get promoted to the Premier League.

Verbeek said he'd watched Williams play three times and thought the young fullback was capable of being a long term player for Australia. He doubted Wales would have an issue with Wiliams' decision.

"He does very well. If I compare him with the players we have, for his age, he has a lot of potential,'' Verbeek said. "It's time for him to show us he can be part of the Socceroos for the future.

"It was his decision to go for the selection. Everything else is not my concern.''

The Australian squad will assemble in Dubai on the weekend.

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Australia squad: Mark Bresciano (Palermo, Italy), Jacob Burns (Unirea, Romania), Tim Cahill (Everton, England), Nick Carle (Crystal Palace, England), David Carney (Sheffield United, England), Scott Chipperfield (Basel, Switzerland), Chris Coyne (Colchester, England), Jason Culina (Gold Coast, Australia), Bruce Djite (Genclerbirligi, Turkey), Richard Garcia (Hull City, England), Vince Grella (Blackburn Rovers, England), Brett Holman (AZ Alkmaar, Netherlands), Mile Jedinak (Genclerbirligi, Turkey), Brad Jones (Middlesbrough, England), Josh Kennedy (Karlsruhe, Germany), Harry Kewell (Galatasaray, Turkey), Adrian Madaschi (Portogruaro-Summaga, Italy), Scott McDonald (Celtic, Scotland), Mark Milligan (Shanghai Shenhua, China), Lucas Neill (West Ham, England), Jade North (Incheon United, South Korea), Michael Petkovic (Sivasspor, Turkey), Mark Schwarzer (Fulham, England), Matthew Spiranovic (Nurnberg, Germany), Shane Stefanutto (Lyn Oslo, Norway), Mile Sterjovski (Derby County, England), Carl Valeri (Grosseto, Italy), Dario Vidosic (Nurnberg, Germany), Luke Wilkshire (Dinamo Moscow, Russia), Rhys Williams (Middlesbrough, England).