Football
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James Jeggo the surprise inclusion in Australia's World Cup qualifiers squad

James Jeggo is the bolter in Ange Postecoglou's Socceroos squad for two World Cup qualifiers next month.

The Vienna-born midfielder, who earned a move to Austrian side Sturm Graz after stints with Melbourne Victory and Adelaide United, has a chance to win his first Socceroos cap in matches against Saudi Arabia and Japan.

Jeggo, 24, has established himself in Sturm Graz's midfield during the club's run to the top of the Austrian Bundesliga.

He is one of three changes for the squad, with Josh Risdon, Apostolos Giannou and Nathan Burns slipping out.

Reliable defender Bailey Wright returns to the 23-man group after an injury forced his late withdrawal from last month's squad.

Left-sided utility Craig Goodwin also comes back into Postecoglou's camp after playing in Australia's friendly with England in May.

"We've made a couple of slight tweaks to the squad in line with our mantra of selecting players who are in form and fitness," Postecoglou said.

"We'd like to have a good look at Craig Goodwin and James Jeggo, who have started their seasons well in Europe."

Tim Cahill is again the only A-League player named, meaning nine local bosses will have their full compliment of players for the opening round of the season.

First-choice goalkeeper Mat Ryan has held his place despite reports from Spain that the gloveman faces three weeks out with a strained knee.

Ryan hasn't played for his club Valencia since returning from national team duty a fortnight ago, putting his position in doubt.

After suffering an injury in Socceroos camp earlier this month, captain Mile Jedinak has been named after regaining fitness with club side Aston Villa.

Australia opened its final World Cup qualifying push with fine wins over Iraq and the United Arab Emirates.

Next month's matches against Saudi Arabia in Jeddah (Oct. 6) and Japan in Melbourne (Oct. 11) are a chance for Australia to consolidate top place in the group.

Should the Socceroos score a second victory in the Middle East in as many months, they will lead the group on points no matter the result against Japan.

The top two ranked nations from the six-team group, which also includes Thailand, qualify for the 2018 World Cup, with a third team sent to a playoff.

Full Australia squad:

GK: Adam Federici, Mitchell Langerak, Mathew Ryan

DF: Milos Degenek, Alex Gersbach, Ryan McGowan, Trent Sainsbury, Brad Smith, Matthew Spiranovic, Bailey Wright

MF: Craig Goodwin, Jackson Irvine, Mile Jedinak, James Jeggo, Massimo Luongo, Mark Milligan, Aaron Mooy, Tommy Rogic

FW: Tim Cahill, Chris Ikonomidis, Tomi Juric, Robbie Kruse, Mathew Leckie

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