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Everton midfielder Tim Cahill has been named in Australia's squad for their World Cup qualifier against Uzbekistan next month, despite doubts over his fitness.

The Toffees ace was forced off at half-time in the weekend's 3-1 win over Stoke with a calf strain but was still included in the 22-man squad for the April 1 clash in Sydney.

Harry Kewell has also been added to the expanded squad after the former Liverpool man missed Australia's last qualifier against Japan because of injury.

However, Australia will be without experienced defender Craig Moore and midfielder Vince Grella after they were ruled out with injuries.

"If you lose players like Craig Moore then you miss something but it is a chance for the other players to show what can do," Australia coach Pim Verbeek said.

Mark Viduka, who has played two games as a substitute since returning from injury for Newcastle in late February, has suffered a recurrence of his Achilles injury and will not play his first Socceroos match since the 2007 Asian Cup.

Defender Michael Beauchamp comes in to the 22-man squad while defensive midfielder Jacob Burns and goalkeeper Adam Federici are also back in.

Australia currently lead their Asian qualifying group on 10 points, two ahead of Japan in second spot. Uzbekistan are last in the five-team group with one point.

Squad: Mark Schwarzer, Adam Federici, Michael Petkovic; Michael Beauchamp, David Carney, Scott Chipperfield, Chris Coyne, Lucas Neill, Jade North; Mark Bresciano, Jacob Burns, Tim Cahill, Jason Culina, Richard Garcia, Mile Jedinak, Harry Kewell, Carl Valeri, Luke Wilkshire, Mile Sterjovski; Brett Holman, Josh Kennedy, Scott McDonald.

TeamTalk / Reuters