Maclaren forces his way in

SOCCEROOS boss Bert van Marwijk has revealed how his mind was changed by striker Jamie Maclaren, who has earned a second chance at going to the World Cup.

The coach had initially left Maclaren out of his final 23 for Russia but said he had persuaded him that he was indispens- able during what was effectively a five-day trial.

Van Marwijk described the emotion of telling four players they had been cut from the final squad as a tough task, although he said the final permutation had given him more attacking options for the World Cup.

That includes Maclaren, 24, originally summoned from holiday as injury cover but now in the squad in his own right.

“He was not in the first nomination, but I got him in because of the injury to Tomi Juric,” van Marwijk said.

“He came, and I’m satisfied about him.

“He’s a typical player who always gets a chance [on goal]. It was difficult for him as he was already on vacation, I think for eight or nine days.

“Then he came and I wanted to give him a real chance, a week, and he had to train from the first moment very hard.

“We trained very intensively, a lot of times twice a day, so it was very difficult for him and not really fair to him. But he made a good impression, so I think I need him.”

Maclaren’s inclusion gives van Marwijk an extra pure striker, a luxury he believes he can afford thanks to performances elsewhere on the park.

“Of course I look at those problems, but defending, I think we have enough players,” he said. “A big positive is the development of Josh Risdon and I have another two players in the squad who can play in that position.

“We have enough central defenders, and ... defensive midfielders. Now I have more options up front, with several types of centre-forward.

“Andrew Nabbout can play on the sides, or as the No.10, so I have more players who can play in more positions.”

Van Marwijk had to tell Josh Brillante, Nikita Rukavytsya, James Troisi and Fran Karacic that they were going home.