FOUR uncapped players have been named in a new-look Socceroos squad to take on England in the blockbuster international friendly at the Stadium of Light on Saturday 28 May (AEST).

With the clash not being held on a FIFA international date, Australia’s stars from Asia have not been released to take part in the first ‘Ashes’ football contest since 2003.

But that has opened the door for some fresh faces to impress Postecoglou in camp in the UK, with nine changes made to the squad that played in Australia’s last World Cup qualifiers.

Centre-back Milos Degenek, from 1860 Munich in Germany’s second division, and striker Bradden Inman from League One’s Crewe Alexandra, are the genuine bolters from abroad, while the A-League’s most prolific Australian striker Jamie Maclaren earns his first call-up.

There’s also great reward for Adelaide United, with their premiership-championship double recognised with the selection of debutant Stefan Mauk and Craig Goodwin, who is celebrating a big week with confirmation of a move to Eredevisie club Sparta Rotterdam and his first call-up since 2013.

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Re-live Ange Postecoglou’s press conference at the top of the page.

“Whilst it is an exciting fixture for us, it falls outside the FIFA window which means some boys, unfortunately, won’t be available for it,” Postecoglou said.

“That includes all the boys playing in Asia and also Jason Geria who is playing for Melbourne Victory in the AFC Champions League, so we’ve taken all that into account.

“We have had to cast the net far and wide again and at the same time I think we have come up with a squad that will be really competitive on the day.

“More importantly for me, it gives me a chance to see some further growth in some players playing against the best possible opposition.

“Due to this unique set of circumstances, we will name another squad next week for the upcoming matches against Greece where we will consider all eligible players.”

While England will boast attacking weapons like the in-form Jamie Vardy, Harry Kane and Daniel Sturridge, as well as captain Wayne Rooney, Australia will be missing some of its main spearheads. Mathew Leckie is missing due to his impending marriage, while Tim Cahill headlines the cast, including Trent Sainsbury, Nathan Burns, Apostolos Giannou, Ryan McGowan and Matthew Spiranovic, who are unavailable for selection due to their domestic seasons in Asia, while Jason Geria (AFC Champions League) and Alex Gersbach (Norwegian league) are also still going.

The game at Sunderland’s home ground is also a major opportunity for the likes of Bailey Wright (Preston North End, Championship), Inman (Crewe, League One) and Massimo Luongo (QPR, Championship) from England’s lower tiers to show their wares against the EPL talent, while Premier League players Adam Federici (Bournemouth), Brad Smith (Liverpool) and captain Mile Jedinak (Crystal Palace) will be eager to get on the park against some of their colleagues.

Jamie MaClaren of the Roar celebrates scoring. Source: Getty Images

There’s also a return for left-back Aziz Behich, from Bursaspor in Turkey, while Ross County midfielder Jackson Irvine earns a recall to stake a claim in the middle of the park.

24-year-old Inman has been knocking on the door for a while, and his 10-goal campaign for Crewe has seen the Scotland under-19 and under-21 representative called up as an option to lead the line. He is out of contract in the off-season, and a host of Championship clubs will be sure to take note of the call-up, given he has been linked with the likes of Nottingham Forest, MK Dons, Bolton and Bristol City in 2016.

Bradden Inman of Crewe. Source: Getty Images

Degenek, a former Joeys captain, has been racking up regular minutes for 1860 Munich this season. He has an eclectic background, born in Croatia before moving to Sydney when he was seven. But despite playing for Serbia’s under-19s, he appears to be another prospective Roo lured back to the green and gold by Postecoglou. He can play at centre-back, where he appeared for the Olyroos, as well as in a defensive midfield role.

Milos Degenek of 1860 Munich. Source: Getty Images

Milos Degenek, right, in his Joeys days. Source: News Limited

Meanwhile, if A-League regulars Aaron Mooy, Matt McKay, Alex Wilkinson and Josh Risdon feature in the game, as well as newbies Mauk, Goodwin and Maclaren, it will be over a month for some since their last competitive hit-out.

Mauk, 20, was a revelation for Gui Amor in midfield when he moved to Coopers Stadium, making 11 starts in Adelaide’s unstoppable run to the grand final. A hard working midfielder with a great passing range and engine, he has qualities which prompted his former Melbourne Heart teammate and Socceroos legend Harry Kewell to say he reminds him of “a young Francesco Totti”.

Craig Goodwin and Stefan Mauk, on the left. Source: News Corp Australia

Goodwin, who was capped by Holder Osieck at the 2013 East Asian Cup, worked his way back into contention and adds another valuable left-sided option to Postecoglou’s mix. He can play either at left-back or further forward.

It’s an extraordinary opportunity for many of these fringe Roos, or those playing in England’s lower tiers, who will take on an England side in the midst of a three-game warm-up series of games to mimic their Euro 2016 group stage.

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The game against Australia is sandwiched in between a date with Turkey in Manchester and Portugal at Wembley.

Hodgson is set to announce his 23-man Euros squad on Thursday, plus six standby players, well ahead of the May 31 deadline required by UEFA.

Leicester’s Jamie Vardy will be in the England line-up. Source: AP

“As an Australian, it is always a special event when we face England in any sport, probably more so with football,” Postecoglou said.

“England is obviously a quality team and will be good challenge for us especially away from home.”

He continued: “I think it is constantly important that we test ourselves against the best and always against different types of opposition.

“Having come off the back of the first stage of qualifying against Asian opposition, it will be good to face up to something different and see how we are tracking with our progression.

“Ultimately we want to qualify for a World Cup, but we also want to know our game style and game plan will stand up against the very best.

It has been reported that the likes of Jack Wilshere, on the return from long-term injury, and Dele Alli and Eric Dier, Tottenham youngsters tipped to play a role for the Three Lions, will be auditioning for starting spots during this friendly.

GOALKEEPERS:

Adam Federici (Bournemouth), Mitch Langerak (Stuttgart), Mat Ryan (Valencia)

DEFENDERS:

Josh Risdon (Perth Glory), Brad Smith (Liverpool), Bailey Wright (Preston North End), Aziz Behich (Bursaspor), Milos Degenek (1860 Munich), Alex Wilkinson (Sydney FC)

MIDFIELDERS:

Chris Ikonomidis (Salernitana on loan from Lazio), Jackson Irvine (Ross County FC), Mile Jedinak (Crystal Palace), Mark Milligan (Baniyas), Aaron Mooy (Melbourne City), Tom Rogic (Celtic), Craig Goodwin (Sparta Rotterdam), Massimo Luongo (Queens Park Rangers), Stefan Mauk (Adelaide United), Matt McKay (Brisbane Roar)

ATTACKERS:

Robbie Kruse (Bayer Leverkusen), Jamie Maclaren (Brisbane Roar), Bradden Inman (Crew Alexandra FC), Tomi Juric (Roda JC)