After completing a training camp in the United Arab Emirates, Australia coach Tony Popovic has a 26-man squad to select from on Thursday, including several players returning from injuries.

Parma centre-back Alessandro Circati has recovered from an ACL injury suffered last September, and he is joined by Middlesbrough's Riley McGree and Connor Metcalfe of St Pauli. Metcalfe's clubmate Jackson Irvine is still sidelined following foot surgery.

Meanwhile, Kasey Bos and Benfica youngster Paul Okon-Engstler - son of former Socceroos star Paul Okon - have both been handed their first senior call-ups. The latter played a key role in Australia's recent AFC Under-20s Asian Cup success.

Once again, Brandon Borrello, Mitch Duke and Adam Taggart will compete to start up front for the hosts, while it remains uncertain who will lead Japan's attack.

With qualification secured, Hajime Moriyasu has selected a squad without many key players and featuring several new faces. Europe-based stars such as Kaoru Mitoma, Ao Tanaka, Ko Itakura, Ayase Ueda and Hidemasa Morita are omitted as the Samurai Blue include seven first-time call-ups.

Still, experienced players like 38-year-old full-back Yuto Nagatomo, who aims for his 143rd cap, and captain Wataru Endo in midfield, have been selected again.

Possible starting lineup for Australia:

Ryan; Geria, Burgess, Degenek; Miller, Teague, O'Neill, Behich; McGree, Boyle; Borrello

Possible starting lineup for Japan:

Z. Suzuki; Seko, Machida, Takai; Morishita, Fujita, Endo, Nakamura; Kubo, Kamada; Machino