Loading Replay Replay video Play video Play video "For me it's good that also sometimes there is another player sitting next to me and it's good for the experience of the player... [It's] nothing to do with those things," he said, referring to speculation about Jedinak's prospects. However most observers expect the heavily bearded veteran to miss out, with Massimo Luongo and Aaron Mooy preferred in the two midfield screening roles. Loading Replay Replay video Play video Play video That pair are more mobile than Jedinak these days, and both are also likely to get forward more in support of any breaks or attacks mounted by Australia. France's midfield is strong busy and fleet footed, and with attacking midfielder Tom Rogic not the most mobile either, Luongo's pace and stamina could prove critical as the Socceroos look to contain the French threat in the centre of the park.

Van Marwijk stressed that he had not told the players his starting line up yet. Loading Jedinak did not start in the warm up matches against Hungary and the Czech Republic - both victories - and van Marwijk is a coach who likes to find his preferred eleven and then stick to it.

Sainsbury took the armband on both occasions, in Vienna and Budapest, and as the Socceroos first choice centre half is likely to continue in that role if Jedinak is left out. Earlier in the week, Sainsbury told journalists at the Australian training centre that he had been given the nod by van Marwijk to be the new leader if Jedinak was absent from the game against the Czechs, which he was. Loading Replay Replay video Play video Play video

''At the start of the camp before the game in Austria, the boss said I’d be the captain unless Mile plays. I offered up the armband [when Jedinak came off the bench in the second friendly against Hungary] but the boss said no. ''It is what it is, I think [if] Mile starts he’ll be the captain. At the end of the day I’m here to play football, not [to] worry about an armband. ''I can’t deduce anything because there’s been a lot of curveballs thrown in these camps. At the same time I can think about it but until it's actually happening I don’t know. Loading ''It’d be a nice little thing to put on the CV but at the same time for me it’s not important to be captain. It’s important to be out there playing."

He said there are many people in the team at the 25-30 cap mark who bring experience and leadership to the team. ''Mile has been captain for a long time now. He’s been a great influence and leader amongst the group. The boys respect him immensely. ''He’s just here to be the best player he possibly can be and lead the boys in the right direction. The presence he brings to the squad is huge. "Even if he’s not playing he’s a great leader off the pitch as well." Loading Replay Replay video Play video Play video