Harry Kewell is likely to start on the bench for Australia in their World Cup clash with Croatia on Thursday night.

The Liverpool midfielder failed to impress when he started the Aussies' first game against Japan, which resulted in a 3-1 win, but made an impact after coming on as a substitute in the Aussies' 2-0 defeat to Brazil.

The Socceroos only need a draw against the Croatians to be assured of finishing second in Group F behind world champions Brazil so long as Japan do not beat the South Americans by two goals in the other game.

"When he (Kewell) came on against Brazil he was playing a good role and had a chance to make the equaliser," Hiddink said.

"He is up to doing the big thing but whether it's from the start we will see. Because of the lack of games he has had (since injuring his groin in the FA Cup final) he is not at the top of his fitness.

"But with his ability he can still be of huge importance, whether it's from the start or later on."

Hiddink said Kewell had also put behind him the controversy he was embroiled in after the game against Brazil when he was charged but eventually cleared by FIFA of making abusive comments towards German referee Markus Merk.

"Mentally he is fully fit," Hiddink said of Kewell.

"Those things happen in hot games, whether it's frustration or not, but it was not a distraction to me or the team."