Socceroo changes for Denmark friendly

AUSTRALIA’S playing depth is set to be tested against Euro-bound Denmark following a host of changes for Saturday’s soccer friendly in Copenhagen.

English Premier League player Chris Herd misses out on the chance to debut, with Australia’s No.2 goalkeeper Adam Federici also sidelined.

It is the second time Aston Villa midfielder Herd has been drafted into the national squad only to withdraw with injury.

Brett Holman is in doubt for this weekend’s match and the 8 June World Cup qualifier in Oman because of the expected arrival of his second child.

Carl Valeri (Sassuolo) and striker Josh Kennedy (Nagoya Grampus) have been allowed to complete club commitments before joining the Socceroos in Muscat.

Valeri’s club is pushing for promotion to the Serie A next season while Kennedy’s Japanese side has a midweek Asian Champions League fixture in Adelaide.

The disruptions are far from ideal for the Socceroos before clashing with the world No.10 Denmark at the Parken Stadium on Saturday.

The Danes are using the match to prepare for Euro 2012 where they face Germany, the Netherlands and Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal next month in the group stages.

Australia will use the run against the 1992 European champions to test out their combinations before starting the final stage of their World Cup qualifying campaign.

The Socceroos will take on Oman in Muscat on Friday week before heading home for the clash against arch rivals Japan in Brisbane on 12 June.

Australia will head to Muscat full of respect for world No.92 Oman after losing 1-0 to them last November at the Sultan Qaboos Sport Complex.

German-based Mitchell Langerak has replaced Federici following his second season as No.2 goalkeeper at Bundesliga champions Borussia Dortmund.

Herd has not been replaced.

The fitness of Harry Kewell and Archie Thompson, who have not played since the end of their A-League seasons two months ago, will be tested later this week.

The Socceroos have played Denmark twice, with Australia winning their last encounter 1-0 on the eve of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. - AAP