Uruguay-born Bruno Fornaroli set for shock Socceroos call-up

• Striker, 34, expected to be named in extended Australia squad
• Vital World Cup qualifiers to come with Japan and Saudi Arabia

Perth Glory coach Richard Garcia predicts Bruno Fornaroli will become an asset for the Socceroos, with the Uruguay-born striker set for a call-up for Australia's crucial World Cup qualifiers. Fornaroli played for Uruguay's under-17 youth team in 2003, but a change in the Fifa eligibility rules in 2020 means the 34-year-old is now eligible to represent the Socceroos.

Football Australia on Tuesday refused to confirm the forward's inclusion, but he is expected to be named on Wednesday morning in Graham Arnold's extended squad for the crunch matches against Japan and Saudi Arabia this month.