NEWCASTLE Jets skipper Jade North and goalkeeper Ante Covic were the only A-League players named yesterday in a 27-man Socceroos squad for the World Cup qualifier against Uzbekistan.

The squad will be used for the September 6 friendly against the Netherlands at Eindhoven and the September 10 qualifier in Tashkent.

North has made 22 appearances for the Socceroos since his debut against Vanuatu in July 2002.

He last played against China in the Socceroos' 1-0 loss in the third-round World Cup Qualifier at ANZ Stadium in June.

Covic has not added to his two caps since recording a clean sheet in a 0-0 friendly against Singapore in March.

North has stamped his class on the central defender role since Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek took the reins, and he has started in the majority of games this year.

But with a host of European-based Socceroos squad members now available, Verbeek said North would have plenty of competition for the Uzbekistan match.

"He is part of the group, he's played most of his games for us in the last qualification games," Verbeek said. "Of course there's a lot of competition at the moment in the central defenders.

"[Matthew] Spiranovic did well, Chris Coyne did well and Lucas Neill is always good and Mark Milligan is coming back, but that's good.

"Jade North knows what he can do and Jade knows what he wants to do.

"For me there's only one thing that counts and that's selection to win the game against Uzbekistan."

Verbeek said North and Covic were the only A-League players selected because he wanted to use tried and tested performers.

"The players I've picked, are the players who have made an impression on me in the last five to six months," he said.

"I know what they can do, I know they can do a job for us in the national team and at this moment that's what I'm looking for. It's not the moment any more to experiment."

Covic is unlikely to play in either the friendly or qualifier because Fulham's Mark Schwarzer and Sivasspor's Michael Petkovic are ahead of the Jets shot-stopper in the pecking order.

North and Covic will play for the Jets in Melbourne tomorrow night before flying to Europe.

The pair are expected back on September 12, a day before Newcastle host Sydney FC.

Harry Kewell returns to the national squad along with Michael Beauchamp, Jacob Burns, Brett Emerton, Brad Jones and Shane Stefanutto.

Newcastle striker Mark Viduka and Everton midfielder Tim Cahill were not considered due to injury.