Maclaren set to make final Socceroos cut

May 30, 2017 - 6:16 AM He's been kept on tenterhooks the entire week, but it will all be worth it for Jamie Maclaren on Wednesday.

It's understood the Germany-bound ex-Brisbane striker has avoided the chop and is set to be named in the final Socceroos squad for next month's must-win World Cup qualifier against Saudi Arabia.

Seven players will get axed from Ange Postecoglou's extended 30-man squad for the June 8 Adelaide Oval clash, as well as the June 13 friendly against Brazil in Melbourne and Confederations Cup in Russia.

All eyes will now be on whether Postecoglou retains Dutch-based bolter Ajdin Hrustic, after the little-known 20-year-old catapulted into the national team set-up last week.

To omit Maclaren would have been controversial given his free-scoring form and the fact the 23-year-old joint A-League golden boot is one of only three out-and-out strikers in a squad that must play three games in seven days during the Confederations Cup group stage.

Of the others, 37-year-old Tim Cahill is now an all-but permanent bench weapon, while Tomi Juric scored another timely goal for Swiss side FC Luzern over the weekend.

Yet Postecoglou had given Maclaren no guarantees, preferring to leave him wondering whether his first recall since November would amount to a chance to build his two caps ahead of his first pre-season with SV Darmstadt.

"He gets an opportunity, I guess," Postecoglou said last Monday after announcing his extended line-up.

"His back half of the year was very strong and he scored goals, that gets him into contention again.

"But we'll see when we come up with the final 23."

With Maclaren and Celtic treble hero Tom Rogic back in the fold, the Socceroos will carry renewed attacking threat into a heavy June calendar.

Joining the team in Adelaide from Friday will be Aaron Mooy, fresh from guiding loan club Huddersfield Town to English Premier League promotion.

The key for Mooy will be staying mentally and physically fresh as the Manchester City midfielder sorts through a long line of suitors vying for his services next season.

Elsewhere, Postecoglou will seemingly retain Sydney FC's Danny Vukovic as his third goalkeeper ahead of Mark Birighitti, while top two Mat Ryan and Mitch Langerak tussle for the No.1 spot.

It's less clear who else he will trim with his new-look 3-4-3 system in mind.

For March's twin qualifiers the coach cut winger Craig Goodwin and left-back Alex Gersbach, though Goodwin's relegation-avoiding heroics for Sparta Rotterdam may play in his favour.

There's also a question mark over uncapped Dylan McGowan and more experienced older brother Ryan, who has recently fallen out of favour.

Source: AAP