Socceroos Power Rankings: 35-21

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Who is No.1 ... we come up with the Socceroos pecking order. Source:FOX SPORTS

Welcome to the Socceroos Power Rankings - your chance to play the role of Holger Osieck and scour the globe and debate the pecking order of Aussie players vying for a spot in the national squad on the road to Brazil.

To kick-start the countdown to the first big game in 2013 – Tuesday night's qualifier against Oman in Sydney – a Fox Sports football roundtable of Simon Hill, Andy Harper and Robbie Slater have ranked their top-50 Australian footballers.

It's subjective, it's opinionated and it's going to provoke great debate.

Their criteria was simple: if you are the coach, who are the first names on your team sheet right now, based on form and fitness?

Join the debate and don't forget to join us again Friday morning for the next batch of squad contenders.

Will he or won't he ... Chris Herd. Source: AFP

35. Chris Herd: will he, or won't he? The Aston Villa utility could provide a quality option for the Socceroos in midfield or as an alternative across the backline, but each time he's been called up, he's been injured. Until he makes his debut, there will be conjecture that he will opt to represent Scotland.

34.Trent Sainsbury: Graham Arnold has a terrific track record bringing youth into the A-League via the Mariners, and Sainsbury is top of the class this season. A classy, poised centre-back, he could be one to keep any eye on as an option – perhaps sooner rather than later. Has represented Australia at U-17 and U-20.

33. Luke DeVere: A terrific impression over 65 caps at Brisbane saw De Vere leave the A-League for Gyeongnam FC. The move hasn't thrust him into Socceroos colours just yet, but if we are to have depth at centre-back beyond Lucas Neill, De Vere is one of the players we need to reach the potential he showed in the A-League and get regular game time.

32. Richard Garcia (18 caps): thrown to the wolves against Germany at the 2010 World Cup in Durban, Garcia fell off the Socceroos radar after a knee injury ruled him out of the 2011 Asian Cup. But he returned to the squad for the East Asian Games qualifiers and the former Hull City man's sharp form and leadership for Melbourne Heart sees him back in contention and an experienced option should Osieck need him.

Left-foot ... Rukavytsya Source: AP

31. Adam Taggart (3): one of the real bolters in the Socceroos ranks. The Newcastle Jets striker was one of the real beneficiaries of the East Asian Games qualifiers – scoring twice. Definitely on the radar as a lively, high quality player up front with an eye for goal. Pace, skill, confidence - he's highly rated by a number of our panel.

30. Jade North (39): a decade in the national team is testament to North's versatility and reliability despite his lower profile. A return to the A-League after a spell in Asian club football should see him get regular game time – and with that, you'd expect him to be on the cusp of selection, jostling for that second centre-back spot or providing cover on either flank. In line for a start on Tuesday night.

29. Nikolai Topor-Stanley (2): you could have been ridiculed for mentioning this a few years back but Topor-Stanley has been a revelation at Western Sydney Wanderers and has a bullet next to his name in the eyes of our Power Ranking selectors. Gone is the clumsy giant at the back, replaced by a mobile, consistent and towering presence. His left-foot adds another string to his bow and it's easy to see him creeping into the squad over the coming months.

Highly rated ... Aaron Mooy. Source: News Limited

28. Eugene Galekovic (6): our Save of the Week catalogue is almost a Galekovic showreel. The Adelaide United custodian has been outstandingly consistent since moving to Hindmarsh Stadium and his call-up for the Oman game is due recognition of that. An amazing shot-stopper, Galekovic has every chance to pip one of our overseas contingent to make our top three keepers and go to his second World Cup.

27. Aaron Mooy (2): Mooy was one of Western Sydney Wanderers' key signings, returning home after a two-year spell with St Mirren in Scotland. He hasn't disappointed, showing a tremendous range of passing and discipline in his role in the middle of the park. He hogged the headlines at the East Asian Games qualifiers with two stunning free-kicks.

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26. Michael Thwaite (10): The Perth Glory centre-back's return to the Socceroos ranks is a feel good story – and a great A-League yarn. The highly talented defender has been singled out by Osieck as someone he trusts and is a huge shout of forging his way into Osieck's first-choice pairing. Thwaite made his debut back in 2005, but after some difficult times abroad, he is finally back where he belongs.

25. Robert Cornthwaite (6): talk about being at the right place at the right time. The former Adelaide United defender stepped in at short notice against South Korea last year and hasn't looked back, popping the odd goal in for fun and becoming one of Osieck's favourites. Can he maintain it? He needs to get back into the side at Chunnam Dragons if he is serious about becoming a first-choice centre back.

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24. Nikita Rukavytsya (11): the flying left-footer is someone the public has had its eyes on since he burst onto the scene at Perth Glory in 2007, but the 25-year-old hasn't been able to quite nail a spot in the Socceroos squad. He was in Pim Verbeek's plans, and made it onto the pitch in South Africa, but game time and goals at Mainz in the Bundesliga is vital if he wants to return to the frame for the big games.

23. Brett Emerton (95): the much loved veteran, who made his debut way back in 1998, isn't completely out of the reckoning despite a few struggles at Sydney FC since his return home. He led the way at the East Asian Games qualifying and scored a superb winner against Hong Kong. If Osieck needs another wise head, Emerton has never let the Socceroos down and would love to bring up the century of caps.

22. Adam Federici (8): The No.2 in South Africa still appears to hold that mantle, although injury keeps him out of the current squad. He has worked his way back into Reading's first team after a shaky start to life in the Barclays Premier League, and it will be interesting to see what the future holds should The Royals slip back into the nPower Championship. His headlines a line of deputies who should be able to provide sound cover for Mark Schwarzer.

21. Matt Spiranovic (16): the 24-year-old's selection here is a curious one, perhaps more on hope than results. Now at Al Arabi in Qatar, Spiranovic was the next big thing when he made his debut in 2008 while playing in Germany for FC Nuremberg. He hasn't kicked on since, nor found the consistency, but at his best is a poised, ball-playing centre-half who should, in theory, complement Lucas Neill.

The country's quest to qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil re-starts on Tuesday night. Australia are locked in a dogfight with Oman, Iraq and Jordan for the second automatic spot in Group B, eight points behind Japan. You can watch this vital clash live and in stunning HD from 6.30pm (EDT) on Fox Sports 1 HD, with kick-off from 7pm.

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