Australian national team coach Pim Verbeek is under no illusions that a large portion of potential World Cup players are not playing regular football for their clubs.

As the Socceroos try to prepare for June's World Cup in South Africa, Verbeek does not deny that the squad could be in better shape with many key players either injured or out of form with their clubs.

"The problem is we have too many players who are not playing regularly for their clubs. It's no secret," he said last night.

"I should like to be able to pick 23 players, or even a majority, who are playing week in, week out in a good league.

"But we know that isn't the case."

The major problem for the Socceroos lies with Harry Kewell who has not played for some time with Turkish club Galatasaray because of a groin problem and Palermo's Mark Bresciano who is out of action with a nagging back problem.

Along with that, Blackburn Rovers pair Vince Grella and Brett Emerton have had limited game time in the past two months meaning four of the Socceroos' starting eleven may go into the tournament underdone which is providing Verbeek with a bit of a headache.