Mark Viduka has not been included in Australia's preliminary squad for the World Cup qualifier against Qatar next month.

Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek has named 39 players in his selection, which will be whittled down before the game on 6th February.

Eight players based in England have been picked, with Liverpool winger Harry Kewell, Everton's Tim Cahill and West Ham's Lucas Neill among those set to travel.

However, Viduka has been left out as Newcastle are due to play Middlesbrough on the Sunday before the midweek match.

Viduka is thought to be considering international retirement and Verbeek is keen to look at as many players as possible.

20 players from Australia's domestic A-League are in the squad.

"I have deliberately kept the squad big to give us maximum flexibility until match day," said Verbeek.

"I have been very pleased with the way the local players have responded to what we're trying to do in the recent training camps we've had.

"I want to give them every opportunity to state their claim to be part of the final 18-man squad which must be named on match day."