Al-Jazira defender Michael Beauchamp is being tipped as s surprise selection when Pim Verbeek names his provisional World Cup squad today.

The 29-year old will reportedly go into the 27-man Australia squad, mainly due to the fact that the Socceroos are experiencing a shortage of defensive options.

Beauchamp played with the Central Coast Mariners in the A-League from 2005 until 2007 before moving to Germany where he joined Nuremberg and then onto Danish club Aalborg in 2008 and last year he signed with UAE outfit Al-Jazira.

He has represented the Socceroos on 19 occasions and is expected to be used as cover for veteran Craig Moore and captain Lucas Neill.