Osieck unsure of Herd commitment

Osieck also revealed that clubless striker Harry Kewell was causing him deep frustration as Australia's 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign enters a decisive phase.

Uncapped Herd and veteran Kewell were both omitted from his 22-member squad for the forthcoming friendly against Lebanon and the World Cup qualifier against Jordan.

The Socceroos meet the Lebanese in Beirut on 7 September and the Jordanians five days later.

Osieck's squad contained no real surprises but 23-year-old Herd, who also qualifies to play for Scotland, was the topic of conversation in a media teleconference.

"That is the question I cannot answer," Osieck said when asked if he thought Herd really wanted to be a Socceroos player.

"I went to see him in Birmingham and I had a chat with him where he told me he wanted to play for Australia.

"I went there to have a look because I wanted to give him a chance to show he goes within our group and I was not actually convinced.

"I opened the door for him three times and we had a decline on each occasion.

"So I never really got a chance to see him again.

"Herd is back in the Aston Villa team and our coaching team has been watching him play.

"But despite the fact that he played (against Tranmere Rovers in the League Cup) last night and scored with an easy tap-in he was not convincing enough to get the call.

"I don't see him as a player to have in our team at present."

Osieck said he was equally bemused by Kewell's situation.

The player named as the greatest ever Australian footballer has not played a competitive game since March when he was still a Melbourne Victory player.

Kewell is still without a club and Osieck said he did not know what to do with arguably his most gifted player.

"What can you do?" Osieck said.

"He's been in the same situation and you keep hoping that something happens and then nothing happens.

"It is very frustrating for the player and for myself."

Osieck, however, confirmed his faith in veteran Archie Thompson by again calling up the Victory striker even though, like Kewell, he has not played a competitive game since March except for three cameo appearances in the national team.

"Archie is always somebody who can help the team when he comes on," Osieck explained.

"I don't consider him a starter for 90 minutes but when we need someone fresh in the second half Archie is the guy who can deliver because he is fit enough.

"He does not need a lot of time to adjust and can get into a game right away.

"In a way Archie is an exception to the rule (that out-of-action players are not picked)."