Wanderers to use Mariners as yardstick

Its newest recruit Shinji Ono, who only touched down in Sydney earlier this week, is tipped to make his A-League debut but coach Tony Popovic is keeping his side on its toes by waiting until the last minute to name his side.

"That's all up to the boss," Beauchamp told AAP.

"He's asked all players to be present tomorrow and the squad will be announced tomorrow at the field.

"So everyone has to be ready.

"You would expect Shinji to be part of the squad but that decision will be made by the boss tomorrow."

A veteran of three FIFA World Cups, 33-year-old Ono, who was named Asian player of the year in 2002, was impressive in the highly-competitive European and Japanese leagues but isn't expecting a cakewalk in Australia.

"Yesterday he (Ono) said to me that it's a great challenge for him to be here in Australia to test himself again and see where he's at," Beauchamp said.

"So for him to say that to me I think is not only a credit to the A-League but a credit to him coming here.

"He's not here for a holiday, he's here to work hard and that's fantastic."

The former Sydney FC defender, who said he'd had his best pre-season "in a very long time", said the squad was more than prepared for a physical clash against the ever-consistent Mariners.

"They're obviously a very physical team and they've proven that in the last few seasons," Beauchamp said of the side that claimed last season's minor premiership.

"They're not the easiest team to take on first up but I think every game this season is going to be tough and it will be a good yardstick see where we're at and where we stand against a team like the Mariners."

Not too much is expected from the new A-League side this season but Beauchamp said after a long build-up, the Wanderers want to turn a few heads and cause a few shocks in their inaugural season.

"Every game we'll go out there to make a statement," he said.

"Not too many people are tipping us to be at the top of the ladder but being our first season together we're definitely going to go out there and be competitive.

"We're not in the league just to make up the numbers.

"We're not hoping to surprise a few people, we know we're going to surprise a few people."