Ryan Thomas returns to the All Whites after a break of six years. Photo: AFP
The All Whites have included their gun overseas stars in their squad to play the Socceroos next month.
Chris Wood, Liberato Cacace, Sarpeet Singh and Marko Stamenić are among the regulars named in the 23-player squad as the All Whites look to win the two-match Soccer Ashes series.
The squad also features the return of midfielder Ryan Thomas for the first time since 2019, while defender James McGarry is named for the first time in two years.
The matches are in Canberra on 5 September, and Auckland four days later on 9 September.
Thomas, who plays for PEC Zwolle in the top tier Dutch competition, has had a rough time with injuries in recent years, which have limited his appearances, firstly for PSV Eindhoven and latterly PSV Zwolle.
But he has been a regular on the pitch for Zwolle this year and All Whites coach Darren Bazeley has clearly wanted him back in the fold, especially with next year's FIFA World Cup in North America in mind.
"It is great to be able to name Ryan in an All Whites squad for the first time in a long time," Bazeley said in a statement.
"Ryan is a special player who I have been in regular contact with since taking on the role and who always wanted to return to the side when he was in a position to do so.
"He has made a strong start to the season and I know he will have a lot to offer this group in two big games that the whole team are looking forward to."
Thomas' inclusion is one of six changes from the squad named for the 1-0 win over Ivory Coast and the 2-1 loss to Ukraine in June.
Also returning to the line-up are Tim Payne, McGarry, Jesse Randall, Logan Rogerson and goalkeeper Oli Sail, who was named Tuesday as an Auckland FC recruit and replaces Nik Tzanev, who is playing for English League Two club Newport County.
Others to drop out are Bill Tuiloma and Nando Pijnaker, who are both injured, and Tommy Smith, Matt Garbett and Ben Waine, who are all playing in the UK.
The All Whites will be seeking to end a long drought against Australia, with their last win being in 2002 in the Oceania Nations Cup final.
"Playing Australia is always a big deal but to be able to compete for a trophy, with one game at home, is massive,'' Bazeley said.
"We want to go out and put in two strong performances to build on the success of the last window and continue our momentum heading into the FIFA World Cup next year."
His squad features seven players based in Britain, seven in New Zealand, two each in Australia and the US, and one in each of Denmark, France, Netherlands, Norway, and Serbia.
All Whites squad:
Kosta Barbarouses (69 caps/9 goals) Western Sydney Wanderers, Australia
Joe Bell (26/1) Viking FK, Norway
Tyler Bindon (17/3) Sheffield United, England (on loan from Nottingham Forest)
Michael Boxall (57/1) Minnesota United, USA
Liberato Cacace (35/1) Wrexham AFC, Wales
Max Crocombe (17/0) Millwall, England
Francis De Vries (11/1) Auckland FC, Aotearoa New Zealand
Callan Elliot (5/0) Auckland FC, Aotearoa New Zealand
Elijah Just (36/8) Motherwell, Scotland
Callum McCowatt (24/4) Silkeborg IF, Denmark
James McGarry (1/0) Brisbane Roar, Australia
Ben Old (14/1) AS Saint Etienne, France
Alex Paulsen (3/0) AFC Bournemouth, England
Tim Payne (43/3) Wellington Phoenix, Aotearoa New Zealand
Jesse Randall (4/1) Auckland FC, Aotearoa New Zealand
Logan Rogerson (15/2) Auckland FC, Aotearoa New Zealand
Alex Rufer (21/0) Wellington Phoenix, Aotearoa New Zealand
Oli Sail (9/0) Auckland FC, Aotearoa New Zealand
Sarpreet Singh (20/3) FK TSC Bačka Topola, Serbia
Marko Stamenić (31/3) Nottingham Forest, England
Finn Surman (9/1) Portland Timbers, USA
Ryan Thomas (19/3) PEC Zwolle, Netherlands
Chris Wood (84/44) Nottingham Forest, England
Soccer Ashes matches:
At Canberra Stadium on Friday 5 September (9.45pm kickoff).
At Mount Smart Stadium, Tuesday, 9 September (7pm kickoff).
The winner will be decided by the aggregate score across both matches, with the second leg going directly to penalties at the end of 90 minutes in the event of a tie.
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