MELBOURNE :Australia coach Tony Popovic has included young midfielder Alex Robertson in his squad for friendlies against World Cup hosts United States and Canada, ending a two-year absence for the third-generation Socceroo.

Wales-based Robertson, whose father and grandfather both represented Australia, won the last of his two caps against Argentina in Beijing in 2023 under former coach Graham Arnold but has not been seen in the green-and-gold since.

Popovic said in May that the Scotland-born 22-year-old, who was once on Manchester City's books, had made himself unavailable and was ineligible for Australia selection.

The issues appear to have been resolved, though, with the Cardiff City playmaker included in a 25-man squad for the October 10 match against Canada in Montreal and the U.S.

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