SOCCEROOS coach Pim Verbeek has cut five players - Rhys Williams, Shane Lowry, Tommy Oar, James Holland and Eugene Galekovic - from his final World Cup squad named on Wednesday.
Verbeek said Middlesbrough defender Williams had an injury and would immediately return home to England.
The 23-man Australian squad for the tournament starting later this month is:
Goalkeepers: Mark Schwarzer, Adam Federici, Brad Jones.
Defenders: Scott Chipperfield, David Carney, Lucas Neill, Michael Beauchamp, Craig Moore, Mark Milligan, Luke Wilkshire.
Midfielders: Vince Grella, Carl Valeri, Jason Culina, Mile Jedinak, Tim Cahill, Brett Holman, Dario Vidosic, Mark Bresciano, Brett Emerton, Richard Garcia.
Strikers: Nikita Rukavytsya, Josh Kennedy, Harry Kewell.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/australias-squad-announced/story-e6frf9if-1225874705117