Cahill laces up to help Socceroos strikers

For the first time in 17 years, Tim Cahill isn't in Australia's World Cup strike force but that hasn't stopped the Socceroos great from helping out his successors.

Qatar-based Cahill has pulled on the boots at training, adding to the numbers given the Socceroos squad members gradually trickled in.

Advice from the four-time World Cup attendee particularly helped Mitchell Duke, one of the first Socceroos to arrive in Doha.

"He's awesome to be able to actually work with – greatest goalscorer for the Australian national team," Duke said.

"For me, being a striker myself, he's given me some great pointers and helping me prepare.

"To get that kind of one-on-one time with such a legend is priceless, and I'm definitely soaking it all in and trying to learn as much as I can in a short period of time, because if it benefits me, it benefits the national team."

The ever-enthusiastic Cahill hasn't needed a nudge to offer valued advice.

"He's very much a natural leader. He gives advice – it spills out of his mouth, I don't think he can help it," Duke said.

"He just loves it. He loves the game.

"He's obviously a very proud Aussie himself, and he's still fit enough to kick about as well which is awesome."

Duke, an aggressive striker who is strong in the air, shapes as a likely starter against France.

The Fagiano Okayama marksman will be competing with Jamie Maclaren and relative newcomer Jason Cummings for the No.9.

"Everyone wants to put their hand up to play in that starting 11. I think I've got a good enough chance as anyone," he said.

"I'll just keep trying to prove myself in training every day to try and get that spot against France and I think we've all got different attributes and different to the team.

"So if I get my chance I'll make sure I (take) it."

He will have plenty of family on hand for his first and likely only World Cup.

The 31-year-old missed the cut under Ange Postecoglou in 2014 and was again overlooked by Bert van Marwijk four years later.

"It gave me aspirations to really give my all," he said.

"Especially the 2018 one, I was like, 'I've got one more chance for me personally'. That was my motivation afterwards.

"Speaking to some of the boys that have been to one or two before me now, they said there's no experience like it, and I'm definitely very happy and privileged that I get my chance now."