World Cup hopes rest on Captain Fantastic

SOCCEROOS coach Ange Postecoglou is banking on the imposing figure of returning skipper Mile Jedinak to provide the necessary resolve Australia needs to emerge unscathed from the daunting Estadio Olimpico Metropolitano tomorrow.

Jedinak’s presence, and the potential involvement of magic man Tim Cahill despite an ankle injury, is the tonic the Socceroos need to start their two-leg World Cup qualifying playoff against Honduras on the right note.

Cahill remains high on Postecoglou’s selection radar as the veteran continues to increase his training workload.

The coach yesterday took Australia’s training session behind closed doors in San Pedro Sula as tactical preparations stepped up for the first-leg battle in front of a Honduran crowd of 40,000, who will do all they can to provide an intimidating atmosphere.

The experience of Jedinak and Cahill, who hurt his ankle in Melbourne City’s 1-0 loss to Sydney FC last Friday, will be crucial to the Socceroos’ hopes of returning to Sydney in a strong position for Wednesday night’s second leg.

Postecoglou stressed Cahill would not have made the long trip to Honduras if he was no chance of playing.

“There’s no fitness test. He’ll train and if he’s right, he’s right. And if he’s not, he’s not, he said.

“At the moment, medicos are telling me that he’s going fine and he’s a chance. If he wasn’t a chance, then he wouldn’t have been here.”

Jedinak’s return from a groin injury that has sidelined him from Socceroos duty since June is timely, considering the first-leg suspension of fellow midfielder Mark Milligan.

Despite the Aston Villa hard man being underdone, the Socceroos can let him loose tomorrow, knowing if he cannot back up in Sydney on Wednesday, Milligan will be available.

“He [Jedinak] is feeling really good and he’ll want to play as a big a role as he possibly can,’’ Postecoglou said. “We’ll see how he gets through the game and we’ll make the decision [on the second leg].”