The Bellambi product set up Cahill's winner last month and declared the Everton dynamo one of the Socceroos' main weapons before the Asian Cup qualifying rematch in Muscat.

With strikers Josh Kennedy and Scott McDonald absent, the Socceroos and Oman level atop Group B, and rivals Kuwait and Indonesia within reach, Cahill's goal-poaching instincts will be even more vital to the Australian cause.

"It's one goal every two games with Tim, the same as he is at Everton - he gets into the box at the right time - he's such an important player for us, especially with Josh Kennedy out," Chipperfield said.

"Hopefully Tim can get us another goal. It was nice to set him up. David Carney did well in the games I missed but I was happy with how I went. Josh is a big loss - he's a threat in the air and holds the ball up well."

Cahill's last-start strike took his international tally to 19 in 36 games - a total including Australia's first two World Cup finals goals, a brace against Japan to cap the South Africa 2010 qualifying campaign and an injury-time strike that saved Socceroo blushes against Oman in the 2007 Asian Cup.

Despite that resume, Harry Kewell is expected to fill the void up front against an Omani team determined to avenge their Etihad Stadium loss.

Chipperfield doubts coach Pim Verbeek will rush fellow Illawarra junior Mile Sterjovski or Sydney FC's Alex Brosque into the sharp end of his trademark 4-2-3-1 formation.

"It might be Harry (Kewell) with Tim in behind him and Mark Bresciano on the left and Brett Emerton on the right," Chipperfield said. "The last few games Mile has played for Australia he has done well and got some goals; it's just up to Pim where he plays him.

"I haven't seen much of Alex, only some clips of the A-League on the internet.

"I'm not sure he'll be in the final 18."

Reports from the Socceroos' base indicate Albion Park junior Luke Wilkshire might be shifted from right fullback to a holding midfield role alongside Jason Culina in the absence of Vince Grella.

Uncapped Nowra-bred goalkeeper Adam Federici is competing with Middlesbrough gloveman Brad Jones for the right to back up Mark Schwarzer.

The Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex clash kicks off at 1am tomorrow.

Likely team: Mark Schwarzer, Scott Chipperfield, Lucas Neill, Craig Moore, Luke Wilkshire, Jason Culina, Carl Valeri, Mark Bresciano, Brett Emerton, Tim Cahill, Harry Kewell.