The two away matches in February against Uzbekistan and the United Arab Emirates will be critical for their chances after three consecutive draws left them with three points in a tight group, behind Uzbekistan (five) and Iraq (four) and ahead of only the UAE (two).

Only the top team goes straight through to London, with the runner-up facing further play-offs.

Notably absent from the squad to play Uzbekistan and the UAE next month are Central Coast Mariners young guns Mustafa Amini, Bernie Ibini and Oliver Bozanic.

Adelaide United defender Antony Golec and Melbourne Victory midfielder Isaka Cernak get their first call-up along with Brisbane Roar midfielder Rocco Visconte.

Kerem Bulut, currently playing for Czech club FK Mlada Boleslav, is also set to make his Olyroo debut and is the only player selected outside the A-League.

Club commitments have made Aaron Mooy (St Mirren, Scotland), Tommy Oar (FC Utrecht, Netherlands) and Mathew Leckie (Borussia Monchengladbach, Germany) unavailable for the first match against Uzbekistan on 5 February, but the trio are in discussion with the FFA and clubs to hopefully play against the UAE on 22 February.

Squad: Terry Antonis (Sydney FC), Aziz Behich (Melbourne Heart), Mark Birighitti (Gk - Adelaide United), Oliver Bozanic (Central Coast Mariners), Kerem Bulut (Fkmlada Boleslav, Czech Republic), Isaka Cernak (Melbourne Victory), Mate Dugandzic (Melbourne Heart), Diogo Ferreira (Melbourne Victory), Matthew Foschini (Melbourne Victory), Antony Golec (Adelaide United), Jason Hoffman (Melbourne Heart), Matthew Jurman (Brisbane Roar), Ben Kantarovski (Newcastle Jets), Daniel Mullen (Adelaide United), Mitch Nichols (Brisbane Roar), Dimitrios Petratos (Sydney Fc), Sebastian Ryall, (Sydney FC), Mathew Ryan (Gk - Central Coast Mariners), Adam Taggart (Perth Glory), Rocky Visconte (Brisbane Roar).

Stand By Players: Mustafa Amini (Central Coast Mariners), Bernie Ibini (Central Coast Mariners).