Maclaren returns for the trip to Brisbane after missing two games with a hamstring injury but in-form midfielder Connor Metcalfe, forward Ramy Najjarine and reserve goalkeeper Tom Glover have been called up for the Olyroos' trip to China.

City have been one of the most proactive teams in the competition this season in regards to developing youth, with Metcalfe the shining light of those tested.

"It's always a situation I'm not happy with," Mombaerts said on Friday.

"We want to develop young players but they are not with us - so it's crazy, for me it's a crazy situation, it's a crazy situation.

"How can we develop young players if they can't play A-League games because they are with the national team?

"So they need to find a solution to continue like that because it's not a good way."

Mombaerts queried the decision to leave young playmaker Denis Genreau out of the Olyroos after he had previously been called up in other squads.

"I'm thinking about how we can use young players because it's not normal also for Denis Genreau," Mombaerts said.

"(Is) Denis Genreau an international player or not? It's not good also for the confidence of the player.

"I was a national coach before so I know the job but ... I think it's not a normal situation - it's not normal to fight against your club or your national team."

Mombaerts said he hoped to see Maclaren feature against the Roar but it would be dependent on how the striker pulled up from training.

"We have two trainings before the game so let's see if Macca is getting better physically," he said.

"He is getting better but we have made an intense session just before the day off so we'll see this morning how he feels. But I'm confident."

Mombaerts said he would prefer Maclaren to start against Brisbane, rather than coming off the bench.

"It's just about the sensation of the player. It's better for me that he starts," he said.

"Because he prepares mentally to start and with a good warm-up, it's better for me - but we'll see with the player."

Australian Associated Press