Head Coach Ange Postecoglou has named a provisional 46-man Socceroos squad for the AFC Asian Cup 2015.

The squad, which will be trimmed to 23 before the tournament starts, reflects Postecoglou’s desire to broaden the base of players to strengthen the squad as it strives to rise to the challenge of facing Asia’s best nations on home soil from 9 January.

The provisional Socceroos squad contains:

30 players who have taken the field in five internationals since the World Cup. Plus a further two named in squads without taking the field.

All 23 members of the 2014 FIFA World Cup squad.

Four uncapped players

16 players from the Hyundai A-League.

“I’m happy with the depth of squad we have been able to name and it is now up to these 46 guys to ensure they are selected in the final squad for the Asian Cup and rise to the challenge ahead,” Postecoglou said.

“We have set about trying to broaden the depth of players and I’m happy with how that has transpired over the last five matches since the World Cup. We have a good group of players to choose from for what will be an exciting time for Australian football.”

Postecoglou has also offered an opportunity for Rhys Williams, Robbie Kruse and Josh Kennedy to push for a return to international tournament football after injury ruined their 2014 FIFA World Cup aspirations.

“Josh, Robbie and Rhys missed the World Cup through injury so it is nice to be able to select them in the provisional squad and there is no doubt their proven international record will give us a boost if they are named in the final squad of 23,” Postecoglou said.

There is also hope for Hyundai A-League players Terry Antonis, Luke Brattan, Nathan Burns, Daniel De Silva, Bernie Ibini-Isei, Tomi Juric, Aaron Mooy, Mitch Nichols, Josh Risdon, Nikita Rukavytsya, Nikolai Topor-Stanley, who have come into the frame after good early season domestic form.

“We still have three or four weeks before we finalise the squad so there is opportunity for all 46 players to push their claims for inclusion in the final list of 23.”

AFC Asian Cup Socceroos Squad announcement timetable:

AFC Asian Cup regulations specify a squad of between 23-50 players must be nominated to the AFC by December 9. The final squad of 23 must be submitted by December 30. Players injured up to the start of the tournament can be replaced but the new player must come from the original list submitted on December 9.

The 46-man preliminary Socceroos squad is:

Name Club, Country A International Caps (Goals) Mustafa Amini B.V. Borussia 09 Dortmund, Germany - Terry Antonis Sydney FC, Australia 3 (0) Aziz Behich Bursaspor, Turkey 7 (2) Oliver Bozanic FC Luzern, Switzerland 5 (0) Luke Brattan Brisbane Roar, Australia - Mark Bresciano Al Gharafa, Qatar 81 (13) Joshua Brillante ACF Fiorentina, Italy 5 (0) Nathan Burns Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand 7 (0) Tim Cahill New York Red Bulls, USA 76 (36) Jason Davidson West Bromwich Albion F.C., England 13 (0) Daniel De Silva Perth Glory, Australia - Adam Federici (gk) Reading FC, England 9 (0) Ivan Franjic FK Torpedo Moskva, Russia 12 (0) Eugene Galekovic (gk) Adelaide United, Australia 8 (0) Ben Halloran Fortuna Dusseldorf, Germany 6 (0) Chris Herd Aston Villa, England 3 (0) James Holland FK Austria Vienna, Austria 15 (0) Bernie Ibini-Isei Sydney FC, Australia 2 (0) Mile Jedinak Crystal Palace FC, England 52 (6) Brad Jones (gk) Liverpool FC, England 4 (0) Tomi Juric Western Sydney Wanderers FC, Australia 5 (1) Josh Kennedy Nagoya Grampus, Japan 36 (20) Robbie Kruse TSV Bayer 04 Leverkusen, Germany 32 (3) Mitchell Langerak (gk) B.V. Borussia 09 Dortmund, Germany 5 (0) Mathew Leckie FC Ingolstadt 04, Germany 16 (1) Massimo Luongo Swindon Town FC, England 5 (0) Ryan McGowan Shandong Luneng Taishan FC, China 12 (0) Matt McKay Brisbane Roar, Australia 50 (1) Mark Milligan Melbourne Victory FC, Australia 33 (2) Aaron Mooy Melbourne City, Australia 4 (3) Mitch Nichols Perth Glory, Australia 5 (0) Tommy Oar FC Utrecht, Netherlands 20 (1) Josh Risdon Perth Glory, Australia - Nikita Rukavytsya Western Sydney Wanderers FC, Australia 13 (1) Mat Ryan (gk) Club Brugge KV, Belgium 13 (0) Trent Sainsbury P.E.C. Zwolle, Netherlands 4 (0) Brad Smith Liverpool FC, England 4 (0) Matthew Spiranovic Western Sydney Wanderers FC, Australia 21 (0) Adam Taggart Fulham FC, England 7 (3) Nikolai Topor-Stanley Western Sydney Wanderers FC, Australia 4 (0) James Troisi S.V. Zulte Waregem, Belgium 16 (1) Carl Valeri Melbourne Victory FC, Australia 52 (1) Dario Vidosic FC Sion, Switzerland 23 (2) Alex Wilkinson Jeonbuk Hyundai FC, Korea Republic 11 (0) Rhys Williams Middlesbrough, England 14 (0) Bailey Wright Preston North End FC, England 1 (1)

SOCCEROOS ASIAN CUP GROUP STAGE MATCHES

Australia v Kuwait Australia v Oman Australia v Korea Republic

Melbourne Rectangular Stadium Stadium Australia Brisbane Stadium

Friday 9 January Tuesday 13 January Saturday 17 January

8pm kick off (AEDT) 8pm kick off (AEDT) 7pm kick off (8pm AEDT)