Although they featured in the all A-League side that Pim Verbeek has favoured for the 2011 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers the duo are not officially part of the Socceroos squad that will take on the Central Asians in Sydney on Wednesday but they will get to train alongside the Dutchman’s predominately Europe-based selection before returning to their clubs to get ready for their respective AFC Champions League matches.

Thompson will lead the Jets against Nagoya Grampus on April 7 while Vukovic and the Mariners entertain Group H leaders Kawasaki Frontale the following day.

Meanwhile Aurelio Vidmar, who guided Adelaide United to a runners-up finish at the 2008 AFC Champions League, will also join the Socceroos’ Sydney camp as a ’technical observer’ as part of the Football Federation of Australia’s (FFA) professional coaching development initiative.