Middlesborough’s goalkeeper, Mark Schwarzer, will be back in the goal of his national squad, after the mistakes Zeljko Kalac, his replacement, made Socceroos almost lose the qualifying in the last 16.

However, he made a serious blunder that almost cost the Socceroos a place in the second round, fumbling an innocuous low drive from Croatia captain Niko Kovac into his own net.

Kewell’s late equaliser saved Kalac from further humiliation but Hiddink got straight to the point when asked whether he had lost his place to Schwarzer for the Italy match.

The really bad news for Australia is the fact that their goalscorer, Harry Kewell, is uncertain for the match with Italy.

Hiddink confirmed that Kewell was still struggling with a niggling groin injury that almost forced him to miss the tournament.

He was named Man of the Match after running himself to a standstill against Croatia but the effort took its toll. Kewell has been unable to train since and has been receiving round the clock treatment in the hope of playing Italy.

“Harry will not participate fully in training with the team today,” Hiddink said. “We’ll see how this situation is tomorrow. It will be the same procedure as before the Croatia game.”

Viduka said the Australians were unlikely to know whether Kewell was available or not until just before Monday’s match.

“How much concern is there? I don’t know. We just have to wait and see how the situation unfolds,” said the striker.

“Obviously, Harry’s a very important player for us and we want him to be 100 per cent fit.”

Source: WCoffsite