Socceroos midfielder Jason Culina believes the presence of Mark Viduka at the World Cup will inspire the players. The Newcastle United striker's international future is currently up in the air but there have been calls from fellow players for him to return to the Australian national team.

The latest being Culina who has returned to Australia to play in the A-League with Gold Coast United.

"Mark is a great player, he's something different for the team. His mere presence on the field will deter opponents and inspire us," Culina said.

"If he were to put his hand up it would galvanise the entire camp because we all know what he's capable of and that he's a big occasion player."

Culina admitted that it would be in Viduka's best interest to first find a new club as the Magpies experience uncertainty after being relegated from the top flight but knows that he if he does again represent the Socceroos, it would be to the advantage of the team.

"His main priority now will be to sort his club situation out first and then go from there," he added.

"Maybe we have to plan for life without him because there is a degree of uncertainty over whether he will return.

"Obviously we've got to the World Cup without him and we have people like Josh Kennedy and Scott McDonald who can do a job.

"But how could you ignore somebody like Dukes if they were available. He is sheer class, and has been a giant of the Australian game and is also one of its big characters.

"The way he holds the ball up and gets others involved is something few people can do. He's a once in a generation sort of player."