Tim Cahill and not Harry Kewell is now looming as Australia's biggest injury cloud ahead of their World Cup opener against Germany on Sunday night in Durban.

While Kewell, whose much-talked about groin injury has dominated Australia's build-up to the tournament, was able to join in an intense two-hour training session on Tuesday night, Cahill was a little more than a spectator.

The Everton midfielder is still recovering from a neck injury sustained during the first half of Saturday's 3-1 defeat against the United States and, while the rest of Pim Verbeek's squad engaged in a full-scale practice match, Cahill was having shooting practice alone on the side of the pitch.