Cahill named in Hiddink squad

Everton midfielder Tim Cahill will be given every chance to prove his fitness after being named in Australia's 23-man World Cup squad.

The all-action midfielder has been on the sidelines since suffering a knee injury against Birmingham last month.

The Toffees fear he may not be fit in time for the summer spectacular, but Socceroos boss Guus Hiddink is eager to take him to Germany after naming Cahill in his 23.

Tony Vidmar missed out on the squad because of an irregular heartbeat, but Middlesbrough keeper Mark Schwarzer has been given the nod after recovering from a fractured cheekbone.

Dutch tactician Hiddink admits selecting his 23 was a fairly easy task, but has more of a quandary over his captain.

"About 90 to 95 percent of the positions were already picked, so at the end it wasn't that difficult," Hiddink said in a statement.

"There were only three positions to be decided. We already had in our heads the basic positions of the team but we needed to be flexible as well.

"I think it is fair to talk first with the players to say what I am thinking (about the captaincy) and what has been decided," added Hiddink.

Australia squad:

Goalkeepers: Mark Schwarzer (Middlesbrough), Zeljko Kalac (Milan), Ante Covic (Hammarby)

Defenders: Michael Beauchamp (Central Coast), Craig Moore (Newcastle United), Lucas Neill (Blackburn Rovers), Tony Popovic (Crystal Palace), Mark Milligan (Sydney FC),

Midfielders: Marco Bresciano (Parma), Tim Cahill (Everton), Scott Chipperfield (Basel), Jason Culina (PSV Eindhoven), Brett Emerton (Blackburn Rovers), Vince Grella (Parma), Stan Lazaridis (free agent), Josip Skoko (Stoke City on loan from Wigan Athletic), Mile Sterjovski (Basel), Luke Wilkshire (Bristol City)

Strikers: John Aloisi (Alaves), Harry Kewell (Liverpool), Archie Thompson (PSV Eindhoven), Mark Viduka (Middlesbrough), Josh Kennedy (Dinamo Dresden)