Pim calls on Moore

Craig Moore's return to Australia's national team has been confirmed with coach Pim Verbeek naming the veteran defender in his 35-man squad for the October 15 World Cup qualifier against Qatar in Brisbane.

Moore announced his international retirement in February after the 3-0 win over Qatar at Telstra Dome.

However, after ending his short-lived stint on the international sidelines, the 32-year-old was included among a host of familiar faces and lesser lights on Wednesday morning in Sydney.

The Queensland Roar skipper, who captained Glasgow Rangers and was a key member of the 2006 World Cup side, features alongside A-League bolters Shannon Cole (Sydney FC), Adelaide shot stopper Eugene Galekovic and Matt Simon.

Everton midfielder Tim Cahill returns from injury after a seven-month layoff.

Other absentees from Australia's most recent clash, the 1-0 win Uzbekistan in Tashkent, Vinnie Grella (calf), Scott McDonald (groin) and Matthew Spiranovic (wisdom teeth) have also been recalled.

There is a strong Adelaide United flavour in the group in the wake of the club's strong showing in the Asian Champions League.

Galekovic, who was kept out of the No.1 role at Melbourne by Michael Theoklitos, joins Mark Schwarzer, Michael Petkovic and Ante Covic in the race for the place between the posts.

Fellow Reds Robert Cornthwaite, Scott Jamieson and Paul Reid have all been handed their first call-up by Verbeek.

Sydney set-piece specialist Shannon Cole is perhaps the unlikeliest of all in the larger than expected squad.

The 24-year-old was playing for Sydney Olympic in the NSW Premier League just two months ago.

Australia squad:
Mark Bresciano, Jacob Burns, Tim Cahill, David Carney, Scott Chipperfield, Shannon Cole, Robert Cornthwaite, Ante Covic, Chris Coyne, Jason Culina, Bruce Djite, Brett Emerton, Eugene Galekovic, Richard Garcia, Vinnie Grella, Brett Holman, Scott Jamieson, Mile Jedinak, Josh Kennedy, Harry Kewell, Scott McDonald, Craig Moore, Stuart Musialik, Lucas Neill, Jade North, Michael Petkovic, Paul Reid, Mark Schwarzer, Matt Simon, Matthew Spiranovic, Shane Stefanutto, Mile Sterjovski, Archie Thompson, Alex Wilkinson, Luke Wilkshire.