Veterans Tim Cahill, Harry Kewell, Mark Schwarzer and David Carney were not named due to injury concerns after the conclusion of the European season.
Osieck named 12 players from the squad that defeated Germany in late March while calling up the likes of emerging talents James Troisi and former Roar pair Dario Vidosic and Michael Zullo.
He also included veteran Melbourne Victory striker Archie Thompson who won a recall after not playing for the Socceroos since March 2009.
Rhys Williams makes his long-awaited return to the fold following a successful recovery from a groin injury that has hampered him since before the World Cup.
"From my point of view these games have a particular significance because they are part of our preparation program for the starting World Cup [qualifying] campaign in September," Osieck said.
"There are definitely some interesting players on the list, some players I want to see which should be given the opportunity to show their potential, if they are up to the standard of the Socceroos."
Osieck spoke particularly highly of Zullo who has been playing at left back for Dutch side Utrecht in the Eredivise, the Netherland's top league.
The Socceroos coach said the former Roar winger was an example of the young players he thinks have the potential to step up on the international level.
"When I was in Europe I not only went to games in England, but in more countries and I took the opportunity to follow him play for Utrecht," Osieck said.
"I think he has a good potential, I like him, he is a busy little player on the left flank and he brings in a lot of pace, he has excellent passing and crossing technique and I was really impressed."
Lucas Neill returns to captain the side and will be joined by the experienced Luke Wilkshire and Brett Emerton.
Japanese-based players Alex Brosque, Josh Kennedy, Mark Milligan and Matthew Spiranovic were selected along with the K-League-based Sasa Ognenovski.
Adam Federici, Nathan Coe and Mitchell Langerak will fight it out for a spot in goals for the two matches after Fulham keeper Schwarzer was forced into surgery for a groin injury.
A-League stars Matt McKay and Robbie Kruse retained their positions in the squad after impressing at the Asian Cup.
Strikers Nikita Rukavytysa, Scott McDonald and Nathan Burns were not named.
The Socceroos take on the All Whites in Adelaide on June 5 before facing Serbia in Melbourne two days later.
Injury worries
Osieck said he told Cahill in March he would not be picked so he could recover fully from a niggling foot injury he carried through the Asian Cup.
But he said the omission of Schwarzer and Kewell, who Osieck said will be out for a "couple of months" were unfortunately forced.
"Mark called me, we had a chat last week and he told me he has to undergo a groin operation which was not foreseeable," he said.
"We have to do without him which is not good, but when you look at the goalkeepers on the list, it's a great opportunity for them to show what we have.
"Mitch Langerak who did well with Dortmund, he made a good impression and I'm really looking forward to seeing him here.
"I'm in permanent contact with [Kewell]. I had him on the original list and... he missed out on a couple of games in May and end of April," Osieck added.
"He came back (for Turkish club Galatasaray), played, but he was substituted in his last game at half-time and so I think it was a very honest discussion we had and I had the feeling he didn't feel comfortable about his performance level.
"I said I don't want to get you into any kind of predicament and that is the reason I left him out.
"He's going to be out long term, it's going to be a couple of months before he can return."
Australia: Alex Brosque, Nathan Coe, Brett Emerton, Adam Federici, Brett Holman, Mile Jedinak, Josh Kennedy, Neil Kilkenny, Robbie Kruse, Mitchell Langerak, Jon McKain, Matt McKay, Mark Milligan, Lucas Neill (c), Sasa Ognenovski, Matthew Spiranovic, Archie Thompson, James Troisi, Carl Valeri, Dario Vidosic, Rhys Williams, Luke Wilkshire, Michael Zullo.
Tags: sport, football, socceroos, australia First posted May 24, 2011 11:23:00
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