Cahill backs Socceroos striker to emerge

That's the opinion of Socceroos great Tim Cahill, who is confident a striker will emerge in time for the Australia's Asian Cup defence.

The 38-year-old Cahill will farewell the Australian public when he makes a cameo in Tuesday's friendly against Lebanon in Sydney.

But Socceroos fans are still waiting for the next attacking option to cement his place.

They'll get a good look at what's in coach Graham Arnold's cupboard after the withdrawals of mainstays Tom Rogic and Robbie Kruse due to minor injuries.

That could mean a start for promising talent Awer Mabil, who scored on debut in the Socceroos' 4-0 wn in Kuwait in October, and Martin Doyle, who made his Australia debut in Saturday's 1-1 draw with South Korea.

Jamie Maclaren could be under pressure to hold his spot after managing just four touches, with no shots, in 70 minutes at Suncorp Stadium.

Tomi Juric looms as an option as one of Arnold's preferred forward trio.

Cahill, who has scored 50 goals for the Socceroos in 107 appearances, said he's happy to see the net cast for a while as the search continues.

"Tomi Juric for me could be that guy. (Mathew Leckie), there's so many great players inside the group," Cahill said.

"And (Maclaren) will score goals, there's no shadow of a doubt about it.

"I've trained with him, spent a lot of time with him even at the World Cup.

"Sometimes it just doesn't fall for you. But, when it does, it's pretty awesome."

Arnold was buoyed by Mabil's impact off the bench against the Koreans, as well as his rich vein of form for club side Midtjylland in the Danish Superliga.

Mabil insisted he would be ready if called upon to start.

"It's up to the coach. I'm ready to represent the country however I'm needed, off the bench or starting, it doesn't matter for me," Mabil told AAP.

"I just want to do my job when I come on."

Australian Associated Press