OUR SPIRA IN ROOS SQUAD

Spiranovic recalled to Socceroos squad

GEELONG soccer star Matthew Spiranovic is edging closer to a return to the Socceroos line-up after being named in the 30-man squad for two matches that will determine Australia’s World Cup destiny.

Spiranovic, who has not featured in the Australian team since November last year after being injured, is in Ange Poste- coglou’s provisional squad, which will be trimmed down to 23 next week.

Australia will play a World Cup qualifier against Japan on August 31 and five days later will take on Thailand in Melbourne.

Spiranovic, 29, has enjoyed a run of consecutive games with Chinese second tier side Hangzhou Greentown.

He had to overcome a serious quad injury, which had plagued him for almost three months.

Spiranovic copped a significant cork to his quad and doctors had to take three syringes full of blood out of the muscle.

The injury was so severe doctors originally thought he may even have torn the ligament off the bone behind the muscle, which would have ruled him out for up to 12 months.

But when he returned to Australia, Socceroos doctors were able to rule that out.

Spiranovic completed his rehab under the watchful eye of the national team staff, recovering more quickly than first anticipated. The North Geelong youth product returned to the Hangzhou Greentown squad in June and hasn’t looked back since.

Spiranovic’s potential availability is a significant bonus for Postecoglou, who has been desperately needing a confident ball-playing central defender since switching to a back three.

Trent Sainsbury and Mark Milligan have both been impressive in that three, but there is no doubt the Socceroos are screaming out for Spiranovic’s presence.

Spiranovic last wore green and gold against Thailand in November last year.

Meanwhile, Postecoglou has also thrown a lifeline to injury-troubled skipper Mile Jedinak.

Jedinak missed the Confederations Cup because of a groin injury and hasn’t played club football for Aston Villa since April, but he’s nearing a return to full fitness.

Postecoglou has picked mostly tried and tested players for the provisional squad.

But there are five possible debutants, among them Matthew Jurman, who has been rewarded for his strong form with South Korean side Suwon Samsung Bluewings.

“We haven’t strayed too far from the players who went to the Confederations Cup and who we have had on the radar for a while, so not a great deal of change at this stage,” Postecoglou said. “There are a few new faces as well to have a look at but overall I’m pretty pleased with the shape we’re in.”

The Socceroos need at least four points from the two games to book a spot at next year’s World Cup in Russia without having to rely on other results.

Socceroos: Mustafa Amini, Aziz Behich, Tim Cahill, Milos Degenek, Adam Federici, Alex Gersbach, Ajdin Hrustic, Jackson Irvine, Mile Jedinak, James Jeggo, Tomi Juric, Matthew Jurman, Robbie Kruse, Mitchell Langerak, Mathew Leckie, Massimo Luongo, Awer Mabil, Jamie Maclaren, Ryan McGowan, Riley McGree, Mark Milligan, Aaron Mooy, Tom Rogic, Mathew Ryan, Trent Sainsbury, Brad Smith, Matthew Spiranovic, James Troisi, Daniel Vukovic, Bailey Wright.