ADELAIDE: Captain Lucas Neill will survive the first cut as new coach Ange Postecoglou resists a razor gang approach to his debut as Socceroos boss.

Neill is expected to be named when Postecoglou announces his squad on Wednesday for the November 19 friendly against Costa Rica.

Reprieve: Lucas Neill is set to be named in Ange Postecoglou's squad. Credit:Getty Images

But whether Neill keeps the captaincy, and even his starting central defensive post, remains to be seen.

Some pundits expect Postecoglou to anoint Tim Cahill as the new captain in the first step towards regeneration of the Socceroos.