Paul Okon will captain Australia against England at Upton Park next Wednesday - but Harry Kewell is set to be controversially withdrawn from the squad.

However, Socceroos coach Frank Farina is contemplating a personal plea to Leeds boss Terry Venables to get his release for Australia's first international in over a year.

Kewell is battling a hamstring injury and Venables will not release him if he is unfit to play in the Premiership against West Ham.

"This is a fitness issue and right now we are worried about Harry," Venables said in London ahead of the Aussies' first clash against England since 1991.

Farina would like the opportunity to assess the injury himself before a decision is taken.

"I expect him to join our pre-game training camp on Sunday and then we'll see," added Farina. "If it helps I'll call Terry personally."

If Kewell is withdrawn, Soccer Australia bosses are considering whether to invoke a Fifa ruling which would allow them to prevent Leeds playing the player in a Premiership game within a month.

Meanwhile, Farina has indicated that while Okon will captain the side on Wednesday, the permanent captaincy role is still up for grabs.

"For this game Paul Okon will still captain Australia, we'll see what happens after that," he said.

View a Printer Friendly version of this Story.

Bookmark or share this story with:

• Digg
• Delicious
• Facebook
• Reddit
• Stumbleupon

SPORTNETWORK SPECIALS

Leeds Poll