Blackburn's Brett Emerton could be involved in a club-versus-country row after being named in the Australia squad for their game in China.The World Cup qualifier falls between Rovers' home clash with Wigan on March 22 and away match at Reading on March 29.

Emerton, Everton midfielder Tim Cahill, Harry Kewell (Liverpool), West Ham's Lucas Neill, Middlesbrough goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer, Mile Sterjovski (Derby), Reading's Adam Federici and James Troisi (Newcastle) have all been named by coach Pim Verbeek.

Celtic's Scott McDonald and Championship players Nick Carle (Bristol City), David Carney (Sheffield United) and Patrick Kisnorbo (Leicester) are also in the 21-man squad for the game.

"We have placed a large group of players on notice that they could be called up for the match," said Verbeek, who has named a squad of players based in the Australian A League for a friendly against Singapore four days before the qualifier.

"With the short time difference between playing for the clubs in Europe and the match, we need to have options open for us if players become unavailable due to injury."

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