TEEN Lazio attacker Chris Oikonomidis will be the shock inclusion when the latest Socceroos squad is announced on Wednesday.

Brisbane Roar defender Luke DeVere, 25, looks set to be the other surprise addition to Australia’s 23-man squad for upcoming friendlies against Germany and Macedonia on March 26 and 30.

Oikonomidis sprung to national coach Ange Postecoglou’s attention last week when he was named on the teamsheet for the Rome-based side’s Italian Cup semi-final against Napoli.

In-form Melbourne City midfielder Aaron Mooy should be rewarded for a consistent season, while Josh Risdon (Perth Glory), Bailey Wright (Preston North End) and Ryan McGowan (Dundee United) are competing for one, possibly two midfield spots depending on whether Torpedo Moscow’s Ivan Franjic is deemed fit.

Return at 11am EDT on Wednesday to watch the Socceroos squad announcement.

A minimum of four changes will be made from the Asian Cup squad, with midfielder Terry Antonis left out due, allowing him to play in the Olyroos’ first phase of Rio 2016 qualifiers.

Several others on Postecoglou’s radar have been left for Olyroos coach Aurelio Vidmar, who will name a 23-man squad on Monday for the qualifiers in Chinese Taipei, starting March 23.

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Postecoglou was excited that 46 players would be exposed to international football this month.

“Not just on radar but actually getting international competition.

SS Lazio 1 - Napoli 1 Coppa Italia Semi Finale. 🔵⚪ #sempreforzalazio A photo posted by Chris Oikonomidis (@chrisikonomidis) on Mar 4, 2015 at 2:13pm PST

“I’ll be working closely with Viddy and the Olyroos program and giving them some real priority and making sure they’re well resourced.

“For us the gaps that still exist in our senior team in terms of the depth, the best way we’re going to create that depth is through the younger players and get them international experience through the Olyroos, alongside lots of international football for the senior team, fantastic that over the next 2-3 years potentially we could have 30-40 players playing significant international football.’’

Though Olyroos age, Oikonomidis, 19, has been fast-tracked as Postecoglou searches for more diamonds on the eve of Russia 2018 qualifiers kicking off.

Bred in Sydney’s Sutherland Shire, Oikonomidis moved to Atalanta several years ago and was recently nabbed by Lazio.

A wide player, Postecoglou could even hand Oikonomidis a start with Germany-based Robbie Kruse still recovering from injury.

Socceroos hopeful Nathan Burns joined the Fox Football Podcast this week. Listen here as he joins Fox Sports’ Adam Peacock, Simon Hill and Brenton Speed.