Tim Cahill given Socceroos break

Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou says nothing should be read into his decision to leave Tim Cahill out of World Cup qualifier.

Tim Cahill will sit out of the Thailand clash.

Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou says nothing should be read into his decision to leave Tim Cahill out of the Socceroos squad for the World Cup qualifier against Thailand on November 15.

In trimming provisional 30-man squad down to 23 today, Postecoglou preferred to allow Cahill, who missed the last club game for Melbourne City through soreness, to find his feet and recover from a hectic couple of months.

“Tim has been left out primarily because we have a 10 day lead in which is very rare, and I want to be able to put the squad through a lot of work,” Postecoglou said. “He has done a lot of travel for club and country and I have decided it is better he remains in Melbourne to ensure he is back on the park as soon as possible and ready for us down the track.”

Talented Brisbane Roar striker Jamie Maclaren has been brought into the squad to cover for Cahill.

Postecoglou said Maclaren deserves his chance to be part of the national team set up again.

Jamie has started the season well in Brisbane and transformed that form into a goal on the weekend so he will come into the squad as will Nathan Burns.”

Aside from Cahill Luke Brattan, Chris Ikonomidis, Ryan McGowan, Tommy Oar, Aziz Behich and Jason Geria were also left out of the squad.

The Socceroos are second in the six-team group and are expected to record a comfortable win over the Thais, who are in last spot and have yet to win a match.