Tony Vidmar has assembled his first squad since being appointed head coach of Australia's men's under-23 football team ©Getty Images

Australia have unveiled a 24-strong training squad as their men's under-23 football team looks to step up preparations for next year's Olympics in Paris.

Fifteen players from Australia's A-League and nine from overseas are set to gather for a nine-day training camp in Italy.

This is the first time Tony Vidmar has assembled a squad since he was appointed head coach of the Olyroos in June last year.

The camp is being held at the Australian Institute of Sport European Training Centre in Gavirate, Varese in Northern Italy and is due to run from March 20 to 28.

"We have selected an exciting squad of 24 players for this camp in Italy, which is reward for their strong performances in the A-League men's competition and their respective club sides overseas," said Vidmar.

"As a squad, we only have a small window of time to prepare for our AFC [Asian Football Confederation] Under-23 Asian Cup qualifiers, with this camp being one of only two we will have prior to September.

"So, this time at the Australian Institute of Sport European Training Centre will be an important opportunity for the players we've not seen for some time to impress the coaching staff for future selection."

Huddersfield goalkeeper Nicholas Bilokapic is among four British-based players in Australia's squad ©Getty Images
Huddersfield goalkeeper Nicholas Bilokapic is among four British-based players in Australia's squad ©Getty Images

During their time at the camp, Australia are due to face Switzerland's under-20 team in Swiss town Bellinzona on March 24 and Serie B outfit Como 1907 at a yet-to-be-named venue on March 27.

"Holding this camp in Europe has provided us with the opportunity to organise two matches against top-level competition, which we need when you consider it's almost nine months since the Olyroos last played together," Vidmar said.

"Being able to give all players the chance to test themselves against quality teams is important leading into the AFC Under-23 Asian Cup qualifiers in September and the AFC Under-23 Asian Cup early next year, which double as Paris 2024 Olympic qualifiers."

The A-League players in the training squad include Thomas Aquilina, Noah Botic, Cameron Cook, Jordan Courtney-Perkins, Louis D'Arrigo, Jacob Farrell, Jake Hollman, Keegan Jelacic, Lucas Mauragis, Mark Natta, Calem Nieuwenhof, Alexander Popovic, Callum Talbot, Kai Trewin and Nishan Velupillay.

The squad also features Nicholas Bilokapic, Lachlan Brook, Marlee Francois, Cameron Peupion and Jordan Harrison who all play in England as well as Aluo Kuol and Jacob Italiano, who ply their trade in Germany, and Ilia Shalamanov-Trenkova and Patrick Vazbek who play in Bulgaria and Norway respectively.

Australia are set to come together again from June 2 to 18 when they compete in the Maurice Revello Tournament in Aix-en-Provence in France.

This event is due to feature 12 under-23 national men's teams from five confederations, with Australia set to play at least four matches across the 16 days.