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Socceroos forward Adam Taggart is facing a race against time to prove his fitness for next week's World Cup play-off against Peru in Doha.

Luckless Socceroos forward Adam Taggart is in a race against time to be fit for next week's World Cup play-off against Peru.

A thigh injury ruled the 29-year-old out on the eve of Tuesday night's Asian play-off against the United Arab Emirates in Qatar, a match Australia won 2-1 thanks to Ajdin Hrustic's late deflected strike.

Following the game, Socceroos coach Graham Arnold said Taggart was set to return to Japan on Wednesday and play no part against Peru, but physios have since clarified with Arnold there's still a chance he can feature in Monday's (4am AEST Tuesday) winner-takes-all clash.

The Cerezo Osaka striker has had a wretched run recently, only just returning from a long-term knee injury last month.

Taggart's last Socceroos appearance was a 2-1 loss to Japan in Saitama last October.

The news for defender Trent Sainsbury, who also missed the UAE game with a knee injury, was more encouraging.

"We expect his knee to be better in the next couple of days," Arnold said.

Australia went into the UAE game with six players walking a suspension tightrope in Jackson Irvine, Aziz Behich, Mathew Leckie, Milos Degenek, Fran Karacic and Gianni Stensness.

All six of those players managed to avoid getting a booking however, meaning they'll all be available to take on Peru.

Irvine, who scored Australia's opener in the win, said the Socceroos will go into the clash with world No.22 with a nothing to lose attitude.

"That's what it's all about," Irvine said.

"We've put ourselves in a great position to go into this game.

"A couple of wins now since we've been here in Doha and full of confidence.

"Things to work on but now we're in a really good place as a team and I'm confident going into next week."