Australia goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer is nervously watching the clock as the fitness clouds hanging over the Socceroos (15/2 to win Group D) continue with three weeks to the World Cup.

Several players went into what is sure to be a gruelling pre-tournament training camp lacking full fitness – notably Harry Kewell and Tim Cahill.

Schwarzer admits the situation is a worry, and hopes that time will be a great healer.

“It’s always a concern when guys are injured heading into a big tournament,” Schwarzer said.

“You want to have as many of your players fit as possible, especially your experienced players.

“But we’ve still got three weeks or so until the beginning of the World Cup, so it still gives players the opportunity to find their fitness, to overcome any niggles or injuries they’ve had over the season.

“Hopefully come the first game they’ll all be fit.”

Kewell’s groin injury is the most talked-about fitness concern ahead of Australia’s World Cup opener against Germany in Durban on June 13.

He trained lightly with the team at their first training session at Melbourne’s AAMI Park.

But he is likely to be eased through as the intensity rises with double sessions each day in the lead-up to the friendly against New Zealand (12/1 to qualify from Group F) on Monday night.

Schwarzer and his teammates are expecting Pim Verbeek to employ the same sort of physically demanding training schedule previous coach Guus Hiddink used ahead of the 2006 tournament.

“It will be very intense – from last time I can tell you it will be a very intense situation,” Schwarzer said.

“The first week is usually a bit lighter because of the many commitments we have here in Australia.

“But once we knuckle down, get away from the outside world a little bit, and get down to concentrate on training it becomes quite intense.”

Meanwhile, Cahill believes Australia’s work ethic and experience from 2006 will be the keys to their performance in South Africa next month.

And he has also stressed the importance of Australia getting their first-choice players in peak condition to tackle the World Cup.

“First of all we have to keep players fit and then try to get the consistency,” Cahill said.

“If we prepare right and try and be as fit as we can for this World Cup like we were for the last World Cup, our natural talents will hopefully shine through.

“We’ve got great character, great work ethic within the team and a team that sticks together.”

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