Rogic back for Socceroos' World Cup qualifiers

Rogic back for Socceroos' World Cup qualifiers

SYDNEY - Celtic attacking midfielder Tom Rogic will make his long-awaited Socceroos return next month in World Cup qualifiers against Bangladesh and Tajikistan, with stalwarts Robbie Kruse and Massimo Luongo also back in the fold.

Australia's Tom Rogic ahead of the international friendly match against Ecuador at The Den in south London on March 5, 2014.

Injuries have prevented Rogic from playing for Australia since a 4-3 friendly loss to Ecuador in London more than a year ago, but he is finally fit and impressing with his early season form in the Scottish Premier League.

Kruse and Luongo also return after missing the 2-1 Asian qualifying win over Kyrgyzstan in June, with coach Ange Postecoglou now spoiled for choice in attack.

"It's a positive that we've been able to recall Massimo, Robbie and Tom Rogic after they missed recent matches and they add attacking options to the squad for the two matches in Perth and Dushanbe," Postecoglou said.

"All three have regained fitness and started the season in form so they come back in and give us plenty of options and good depth in an attacking sense.

"When you add them to the likes of Tim Cahill, Mat Leckie, Tomi Juric, Nathan Burns and Tommy Oar the fans in Perth have a lot to get excited about."

Australia face Bangladesh in Perth on September 3 and Tajikistan in Dushanbe on September 8.

Australia - Aziz Behich (Bursaspor/TUR), Nathan Burns (FC Tokyo/JPN), Tim Cahill (Shanghai Shenhua/CHN), Alex Cisak (Leyton Orient/ENG), Jason Davidson (Huddersfield/ENG), Tarek Elrich (Adelaide United/AUS), Adam Federici (Bournemouth/ENG), Jackson Irvine (Ross County/SCO), Mile Jedinak (Crystal Palace/ENG), Tomi Juric (Roda JC Kerkrade/NED), Robbie Kruse (Bayer Leverkusen/GER), Mathew Leckie (FC Ingolstadt/GER), Massimo Luongo (Queens Park Rangers/ENG), Ryan McGowan (Dundee United/SCO), Matt McKay (Brisbane Roar/AUS), Mark Milligan (Baniyas/UAE), Aaron Mooy (Melbourne City/AUS), Tommy Oar (unattached), Mat Ryan (Valencia/ESP), Tom Rogic (Celtic/SCO), Matthew Spiranovic (Hangzhou Greentown/CHN), Alex Wilkinson (Jeonbuk Hyundai/KOR), Bailey Wright (Preston/ENG).

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