Depleted Socceroos to host Ghana

Australia's coach Pim Verbeek has named a largely second-string squad for the international friendly against Ghana in Sydney next week.

Harry Kewell and goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer are expected to play alongside regular internationals Michael Beauchamp, Jason Culina and David Carney.

But Captain Lucas Neill has been rested, while a number of first-choice players including Celtic's Scott McDonald are still involved with their European club sides.

Daniel Allsopp, Ante Covic and Joel Griffiths are among the 10 A-League players included in the squad.

Australia:

Daniel Allsopp (Melbourne Victory), Michael Beauchamp (Nuremburg, Germany), Mark Bridge (Sydney FC), Jacob Burns (Unirea Valahorum, Romania), Nick Carle (Bristol City, England), David Carney (Sheffield United, England), Ante Covic (Newcastle Jets), Jason Culina (PSV Eindhoven, Netherlands), Adam Federici (Reading, England), Adam Griffiths (Newcastle Jets), Joel Griffiths (Avispa Fukuoka, Japan), James Holland (Newcastle Jets), Mile Jedinak (Central Coast Mariners), Harry Kewell (Liverpool, England), Jade North (Newcastle Jets), Michael Petkovic (Sivasspor, Turkey), Mark Schwarzer (Middlesbrough, England), Matthew Spiranovic (Nuremburg, Germany), Mile Sterjovski (Derby County, England), Nikolai Topor-Stanley (Perth Glory), James Troisi (Newcastle United, England), Carl Valeri (Grosseto, Italy), Rodrigo Vargas (Melbourne Victory).