Injuries are set to deprive Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek of three of his key overseas-based players for the Asian World Cup qualifier against Qatar in Brisbane tomorrow week.

Verbeek today cut his squad by seven to 28, omitting midfielders Mark Bresciano and Vince Grella and striker Harry Kewell.

While Kewell was not included in the squad, Verbeek still thought the Turkey-based striker had a slight chance of overcoming a groin strain to play next week.

"At this moment, it's pretty much about 10 per cent, but 10 per cent is still a possibility," Verbeek said of Kewell.

The three overseas-based apart, Verbeek also omitted locally domiciled players Shannon Cole, Ante Covic, Matt Simon and Alex Wilkinson.

Among the Australian-based players to make the cut were Sydney midfielder Stuart Musialik and the Adelaide quartet of Robert Cornthwaite, Eugene Galekovic, Scott Jamieson and Paul Reid who will join the squad in Brisbane on Thursday following United's Champions League semi-final first leg at Hindmarsh Stadium tomorrow.

The majority of overseas-based players are scheduled to arrive tomorrow with 19 of the squad currently playing offshore.

The contingent includes captain Lucas Neill, Tim Cahill, Mark Schwarzer and Brett Emerton.

Queensland captain and central defender Craig Moore returns to the squad after coming back from international retirement.

The Socceroos squad is Jacob Burns (FC Unirea Valahorum, Romania) Tim Cahill (Everton, England) David Carney (Sheffield United, England) Scott Chipperfield (FC Basel, Switzerland) Robert Cornthwaite (Adelaide United, Aust) Chris Coyne (Colchester United, England) Jason Culina (PSV Eindhoven, Netherlands) Bruce Djite (Genclerbirligi SK, Turkey) Brett Emerton (Blackburn Rovers, England) Eugene Galekovic (Adelaide United, Aust) Richard Garcia (Hull City, England) Brett Holman (AZ Alkmaar, Netherlands) Scott Jamieson (Adelaide United, Aust) Mile Jedinak (Central Coast Mariners, Aust) Josh Kennedy (Karlsruher SC, Germany) Scott McDonald (Celtic, Scotland) Craig Moore (Queensland Roar, Aust) Stuart Musialik (Sydney FC, Aust) Lucas Neill (West Ham United, England) Jade North (Newcastle Jets, Aust) Michael Petkovic (Sivasspor, Turkey) Paul Reid (Adelaide United, Aust) Mark Schwarzer (Fulham, England) Matthew Spiranovic (FC Nurberg, Germany) Shane Stefanutto (FC Lyn Oslo, Norway) Mile Sterjovski (Derby County, England) Archie Thompson (Melbourne Victory, Aust) Luke Wilkshire (FK Dinamo Moscow, Russia).

AAP