In-form Leckie in Socceroos frame

Leckie, 21, has jumped back onto the Socceroos radar with a number of influential pre-season performances for FSV Frankfurt – the 2. Bundesliga club he has joined on loan from Borussia Monchengladbach.

And his name is expected to be among the attackers when Osieck unveils his latest squad for the 15 August (16 August AEST) clash early next week.

The pacy and powerful forward is being closely monitored by Socceroos coach Holger Osieck as he looks to freshen up an ageing squad which could be without clubless Harry Kewell against the Scots, as he struggles to prove his fitness after his abrupt departure from Melbourne Victory.

Kewell last played for his country for 58 minutes in the goalless FIFA World Cup qualifier against Qatar in Doha on June 8 and the 33-year-old is considered only fifty-fifty to land a call up on this occasion.

Leckie, whose only previous squad call-up came in 2010 in the Asian Cup qualifier against Indonesia, has been knocking on the door since his switch from Adelaide United to Gladbach, where he made 11 appearances in all competitions last season as the club surged into the UEFA Champions League with a fourth place Bundesliga finish.

He scored on his debut for FSV Frankfurt's 10-0 romp over Spvgg 08 Bad Nauheim and has been used, both on the flank supplying the ammunition for Michael Gorlitz and Edmond Kapllani, and through the middle.

Leckie injured a metatarsal in the 2-0 pre-season loss to Mainz 10 days ago but is expected to be fit for selection for his country and also his club’s season opener away at SV Sandhausen 1916 on August 8.

Fellow striker Robbie Kruse, also based in Germany with promoted Fortuna Dusseldorf, has also been in eye-catching pre-season form with his performances attracting plaudits in the German press – and should get a certain call up for his country.

Nikita Rukavytsya, a second-half substitute as 10-man Australia held Japan to a 1-1 draw in Brisbane six weeks ago, will also get another call up.

Skipper Lucas Neill, clubless since being released by Al Jazira in June and out of action since the Japan clash, will lead the team against the Scots.

The 34-year-old has been training hard in America, and Osieck has been assured he will be fit and ready for action against Craig Levein’s men. Neill expects to be confirmed at a new club within the next fortnight.

It could also be a case of third time lucky for Aston Villa’s rookie midfielder Chris Herd, who has been called up twice only to be forced out through injury.

His new club mate, Brett Holman, will return to the fold after missing the World Cup qualifiers against Qatar and Japan for the birth of his son.

Young Hearts defender Ryan McGowan, who scored for his club in its Scottish Cup final victory over Hibernian, is closing in on selection also but may just fall short on this occasion while the in-form Korea-based stopper Luke DeVere is also close to a recall as Qatar-based Matthew Spiranovic struggles to hold his spot as heir-apparent to Neill and Sasa Ognenovski