MATHEW Leckie is in line to make his Socceroos debut now that Brett Emerton is doubtful for the World Cup qualifier against Thailand.

Emerton suffered a hamstring injury in Blackburn's 2-1 opening day English Premier League loss to Wolverhampton at Ewood Park yesterday.

After only lasting the first half of Australia's 2-1 win over Wales in Cardiff last Thursday, Emerton was again substituted after 45 minutes this time because of a hamstring complaint. Emerton's misfortune has opened the door for Leckie after he was forced to withdraw from the Young Socceroos FIFA under-20 World Cup squad last month.

Leckie was caught in a club versus country battle after Borussia Moenchengladbach refused to release the ex-Adelaide United forward for the tournament in Colombia where the Australians ended their campaign with a first round exit and one point.

Leckie wasn't called into Holger Osieck's squad against Wales after Moenchengladbach's backflip stunned Young Socceroos boss Jan Versleijen.

The Australians drew with Ecuador 1-1 in the opening match of the under-20 World Cup. Just hours before the Young Socceroos' opener, Leckie was thrown into his maiden DFB Cup match in a comfortable 3-1 win for Moenchengladbach over minnow Jahn Regensburg on July 30.

But German-born Socceroos mentor Osieck would have been undoubtedly impressed when Leckie made his Bundesliga debut yesterday, coming off the bench in the 77th minute in a 1-1 draw with Stuttgart. Within seconds Leckie put on a display of speed, power, strength and poise in front of 48,332 rowdy fans at Borussia Park. While Leckie is on the cusp of World Cup duty, the full extent of Emerton's injury is not known ahead of Australia's September 2 clash against Thailand at Suncorp Stadium. Osieck might be tempted to hold Emerton back for the September 6 qualifier in Saudi Arabia.

Mark Schwarzer's Fulham was held to a 0-0 draw at home by Aston Villa.

Newcastle United's young South Australian Bradden Inman didn't get a run in the feisty 0-0 draw with Arsenal at St James's Park.

In encouraging news for the Socceroos, Brett Holman played a full match for his Dutch club AZ Alkmaar after a groin strain ruled him out of Wednesday night's international at Cardiff City Stadium.

In the English Championship, Socceroo Scott McDonald had a shot at goal in Middlesbrough's 1-0 win over Leeds at Elland Road cleared off the line by compatriot Patrick Kisnorbo while Rhys Williams was solid for the away side.