Australia coach Holger Osieck has recalled several of the country's star players for this month's World Cup qualifiers against Oman and Thailand.

Mark Schwarzer, Harry Kewell and Brett Emerton all return to the Socceroos squad, while Aston Villa's Chris Herd has been handed his first international call-up.

Fulham goalkeeper Schwarzer, former Leeds and Liverpool forward Kewell and ex-Blackburn defender Emerton were left out of the squad that easily accounted for Malaysia in a friendly last month before seeing Oman off in a World Cup qualifier four days later - a victory which has put the Socceroos on the brink of direct entry to the next round of qualifiers.

Kewell and Emerton returned to the A-League amid much fanfare at the star of the season but have been slow to get going with their Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC respectively.

Herd's performances for Aston Villa have attracted the interest of the Scottish national team. The 22-year-old's parents are both Scottish but he has pledged his loyalty to Australia.

Australia will play Oman in Muscat on November 11 before meeting Thailand in flood-affected Bangkok on November 15.

No decision has yet been made on whether the Thailand match will take place elsewhere because of the problems in the capital.