Kewell injured his hamstring against Everton

Harry Kewell is at the centre of a club-versus-country row over his possible withdrawal from Australia's squad ahead of the international friendly with England.

Kewell is struggling with a hamstring injury and Leeds manager Terry Venables will not release him if he is unfit to play in the Premiership against West Ham on Saturday.

The Australian forward picked up the injury in the defeat at Everton last weekend.

"This is a fitness issue and right now we are worried about Harry," said Venables, who is a former coach of Australia.

"He really wants to play for Australia against England, but if he's not up to it, he won't. It's as simple as that."

But the current Australian coach Frank Farina wants to assess Kewell's injury himself before a decision is taken.

"I expect him to join our pre-game training camp on Sunday and then we'll see," said Farina.

"If it helps I'll call Terry personally."

If Kewell is withdrawn, Australia are considering invoking a Fifa ruling which would prevent Leeds playing Kewell in a Premiership game within a month.