Grella favourite for captaincy in Viduka absence

Midfielder Vince Grella is favourite to lead the Socceroos out against Denmark on Wednesday morning (AEDT), after the Parma captain said that Mark Viduka was ruled out of the match.

Midfielder Vince Grella is favourite to lead the Socceroos out against Denmark on Wednesday morning (AEDT), after the Parma captain said that Mark Viduka was ruled out of the match.

Viduka takes the total number of withdrawals from the initial squad announced two weeks ago to eight, after he failed to overcome a calf muscle problem that forced him off the pitch last weekend.

Graham Arnold has not yet revealed who will lead the team out onto the Loftus Road pitch against Denmark, but he was the last captain against Ghana and is now among the leaders of the Australian team.

"Mark Viduka is not playing and Lucas Neill is not playing either, but Arnie (Graham Arnold) hasn-t spoken to me about the captaincy,” said Grella.

"I'd love the job, it's a pleasure and an honour to be captain of your country." Despite the injury crisis that has ripped the heart out of the team, Grella believes this is a terrific opportunity for some of the fringe players to really show Arnie what they can do.

“I hope so, I really hope so,” said Grella, when asked if this was the perfect time for these players to put their name forward for an Asian Cup spot.

“Every opportunity to play for Australia is another opportunity to show everyone the qualities that you have. The players that haven-t been playing regularly or maybe lesser of an opportunity, have to show they are up to this level and when needed they can be countered on.

While conceding that with so many new faces it might be tough, Grella thinks the team will get through okay on Tuesday night.

“Sometimes not having played with a (new) teammate is not easy, but I think if everyone is willing to give each other a hand, so I can-t see why there should be big problems. If they are playing at this level, it means Arnie has faith in them and they should feel this faith and deliver the goods on the pitch.”

Grella acknowledges that the Danes, ranked 23 in the world, will be tough but is confident they can get a good result.

“Denmark has a good reputation, they play good football and I think their team are preparing for a big game (in the European qualifiers). They pass the ball well; they look like they are very well organised and you can see that they have played a lot of football together.”

“But we-re quietly confident,” Grella added.

Viduka-s absence is likely to see the ever reliable John Aloisi start the match. The match can be seen live on Fox Sports from 6.30am, while the FFA website will carry a live text commentary of the match, also from 6.30am.