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AUSTRALIA captain Mark Viduka has rejoined his teammates for a closed training session ahead of Australia’s World Cup opener on Monday.

Viduka missed the majority of training on Thursday with a calf injury, and eventually emerged late in the session limping and wearing a compression sock.

But he was back warming up with his teammates for the start of today’s session with no apparent problems - though what happened beyond that is a mystery after coach Guus Hiddink locked out media to work on team shape and tactics.

Hiddink called off a planned morning session to concentrate on just the one hitout today.

The team is scheduled for a final training run at the Fritz-Walter-Stadion in Kaiserslautern tomorrow - the venue for its match against Japan the following day.

Nine of the 11 starting spots in the team to play Japan seem to have been sealed, though conjecture remains about two midfield spots, including the one nominally belonging to Harry Kewell.

Much will depend on whether Hiddink decides to start Kewell or use him as an impact player to ensure no problems with the groin injury that has affected his World Cup preparation.

If he decides to take the latter option, striker John Aloisi may join Viduka up front in a 4-4-2 formation, or wide midfield player Mile Sterjovski may be named as a straight swap for Kewell in a 4-2-3-1 formation.

Tim Cahill appears likely to get the nod ahead of Josip Skoko for the other midfield spot, though Skoko could still be a starter as another option to step in for Kewell.

Hiddink and Viduka meanwhile received a written message of support today from Prime Minister John Howard.

“All Australians will be right behind you,” Mr Howard wrote, adding his and the nation’s best wishes for the Socceroos’ first World Cup appearance in 32 years.

The team has been inundated with messages of support from a diverse range of high-profile Australians, including champion swimmers Grant Hackett and Leisel Jones, three-time Gold Logie winner Rove McManus and singer Shannon Noll.