Asian Cup: Socceroos hopefuls Nathan Burns, Terry Antonis and Tomi Juric ready to step up

NATHAN Burns, Terry Antonis and Tomi Juric look set to headline the A-League additions to the Socceroos squad for next month’s Asian Cup.

NEWCASTLE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 06: Nathan Burns of the Phoenix controls the ball during the round 10 A-League match between the Newcastle Jets and the Wellington Phoenix at Hunter Stadium on December 6, 2014 in Newcastle, Australia. (Photo by Tony Feder/Getty Images)

NATHAN Burns, Terry Antonis and Tomi Juric look set to headline the A-League additions to the Socceroos squad for next month’s Asian Cup.

At least seven A-League players are set to be picked when the 23-man squad is ­named this morning, alongside overseas-based stars Tim ­Cahill, Robbie Kruse, Mark Bresciano and Mile ­Jedinak.

But Perth Glory youngster Daniel De Silva looks set to be overlooked, despite capping his impressive form with a stunning goal on Saturday night against Central Coast.

Socceroos coach Ange ­Postecoglou picked a preliminary 46-man squad.

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Nathan Burns’s double against Sydney boosted his Socceroos hopes.

Burns, who is the fastest player to reach 10 goals in an A-League season after scoring twice for Wellington against Sydney FC on Sunday, was due to be called up for the November friendly against Japan but was left out on medical advice.

Phoenix coach Ernie Merrick was confident Burns could make an impact, starting against Kuwait on January 9.

“You can’t ignore the top goalscorer in the league and of the top 10 scorers there’s only two Australians — Burns and Archie Thompson in fifth,’’ Merrick told ABC Radio.

“Archie’s not in the squad as far as I know. Burns has surely got to be in there. He plans to go overseas again and I think he could be a big-name Socceroo for the future.

“They always called him the next Harry Kewell, which he probably didn’t deserve because it placed a lot of pressure on him, but I think he’ll star at the Asian Cup.’’

With the Socceroos struggling to find an avenue to goal aside from Cahill, Burns’ ­ability to score from deeper, wider positions could appeal to Postecoglou.

And Merrick allayed any injury fears for the 26-year-old.

Tomi Juric has progressed under Wanderes coach Tony Popovic.

“I always felt as though he had the technique and speed and those two combinations, he’s virtually another Robbie Kruse, who he went through the AIS with,’’ he said.

“It was all about managing him. He’s had a bit of a knee problem, which we’ve overcome completely now .

“Occasionally he has a break from training, and now he’s firing on all cylinders.

“He’s training full-time with the boys and his workrate ­during games has doubled since his first game.’’

The Socceroos’ Asian Cup camp starts in Melbourne on Saturday.

Originally published as Asian Cup: Socceroos hopefuls Nathan Burns, Terry Antonis and Tomi Juric ready to step up