Schwarzer granted leave to continue negotiations

Mark Schwarzer has been granted permission to join the Socceroos squad late so he can continue negotiations with overseas clubs.

Schwarzer's contract with English Premier League club Middlesbrough is up and he has been linked with a move to Italian giants Juventus.

Middlesbrough is trying to retain the Socceroos goalkeeper, who has been on the club's books for 11 years.

Schwarzer was expected to join the Socceroos camp in Sydney on Monday ahead of Friday night's World Cup qualifier warm-up against Ghana.

However Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek has acceded to the veteran's request to arrive in Australia on Wednesday.