Canberra junior George Timotheou to be named in Olyroos squad for training camp

The Canberra Times can reveal Timotheou will be announced in Graham Arnold's under-23s squad for a training camp in the coming days.

It comes after the Australian coach spent six weeks on a scouting mission in Europe last month and met with potential squad members, including Timotheou.

It's been a whirlwind year for the 22-year-old midfielder, who signed a two-year deal with Belgian Pro-League club Zulte Waregam after impressing on his Bundesliga debut.

Timotheou transferred to Zulte Waregem in a bid to break into the club's first grade side after spending most of last season in reserves for German club Schalke 04.

Arnold, who coached Timotheou at Sydney FC, said Australian selectors have kept a close eye on the midfielder and have earmarked him for the Olympic Games.

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"He's got a great left-foot and is a strong central defender. He's very good on the ball so he gives us plenty of different options," Arnold said.

"He's represented [Australia] in the under-17s and under-20s level, and I'm pretty sure the next step George would like is to represent the under-23s and Socceroos.

"With a lot of hard work and commitment, there's many people who can put on the green-and-gold jersey. It's an opportunity for the kids to fulfill their dreams and it's a great goal in life to play for the Socceroos, and George is no different.

"It's just part of the journey George is on and he has to keep working hard and force himself into the starting lineup in the first team. Anything is possible."

Meanwhile Tom Rogic has been ruled out of a Canberra homecoming and will miss the Socceroos' World Cup qualifier against Nepal on October 10.

Arnold will visit the capital in next weekend to meet with grounds staff at Canberra Stadium and will make the squad announcement on Thursday.

But hometown hero Rogic has elected to sit out on the Socceroos' September and October matches while he gets married next month.

The decision is also part of his gradual return from an off-season surgery on his knee and an ankle injury sustained in the Celtic's Scottish Cup victory in May.

The 26-year-old midfielder marked his return to Celtic's starting XI with a 46th minute goal in the Bhoys' 5-0 win over Patrick Thistle on Thursday.

Football Federation Australia are still working to secure a date for a Matildas game at Canberra Stadium.

WORLD CUP QUALIFIER

October 10: Australiav Nepal at Canberra Stadium, 7.30pm. Tickets available from Ticketek.