Herd out of Australia squad for Scotland friendly

SYDNEY (AP) -Aston Villa midfielder Chris Herd has been dropped from the Australia squad to face Scotland in an international friendly on Wednesday after failing to recover from a quadriceps strain.

Lucas Neill, who is currently without a club after being released by Al Jazira, will captain the team in Edinburgh. Forward Harry Kewell, who is also unaffiliated after leaving the A-League's Melbourne Victory, was not considered by coach Holger Osieck, while Tim Cahill, who signed in July with the New York Red Bulls, was not available.

Australia has played Scotland on four previous occasions, most recently winning 2-0 at Hampden Park in 2000.

The Socceroos are preparing for the final round of Asian World Cup qualifying against Jordan on Sept. 11 and Iraq on 16 October.