GREAT Britain team manager Phil Clarke says influential hooker Keiron Cunningham has shrugged off his injury problems and is fresher than ever to take on the Aussies.

Arguably the world's best number nine, who missed last year's Ashes series through injury, Cunningham was again doubtful for Friday's Test against the Kangaroos after suffering a scratched eyeball at Hull last week.

But former Wigan skipper Clarke said the Welshman, named in the starting line-up at yesterday's squad announcement, had been tearing up trees in training.

"Keiron Cunningham has really impressed me in training," he said.

"He is looking so sharp and fresh because he's had a bit of a rest through injury. Now he's jurst bursting with energy."

Clarke, a member of the last British team to play in Sydney 10 years ago, said this current pride of Lions were desperate to avenge the decisive third Test defeat at Wigan last year.

"I think we will do it," he said. "When I've spoken to the players around and about in Super League, all the GB players have been talking about this game. They have been talking about this match for the past six months.

"The media attention surrounding the game over here in Australia is massive compared to back home. There are so many television stations, newspapers, radio and magazines who are interested in this match and that has really helped motivate the players.

"The key to winning any match at this level is to kick the ball accurately and build pressure on your opponents. That's what Andrew Johns does so well and what he did to steer the Australians to victory in the Ashes.

"So it's up to players like Andy Farrell and Ryan Sheridan, who kicked well in the Origin games, to stamp their authority on the game."

There were few shocks in the British squad, with only two new caps in Leeds' Karl Pratt, who will take his place on the wing, and Saints centre Martin Gleeson, who has been named among the substitutes.

Coach David Waite said he was confident that 21-year-old Pratt would prove an asset against Australia despite only playing in five Super League games for the Rhinos this season.

"Karl has got the basics of a very good winger but he is an aggresive competitor all over the park and I like that part of him," he said.

"It's a combination of his work last year and this year. He would have been in the Ashes squad but for injury and he's done nothing other than impress me this year despite not playing a lot of footy."

Team: K Radlinski (Wigan); P Johnson (Wigan), P Wellens (St Helens), K Senior (Leeds), K Pratt (Leeds); P Sculthorpe (St Helens), R Sheridan (Leeds); T O'Connor (Wigan), K Cunningham (St Helens), B McDermott (Leeds), J Peacock (Bradford), C Joynt (St Helens), A Farrell (Wigan, capt).

Substitutes: M Gleeson (St Helens), T Newton (Wigan), S Fielden (Bradford), K Sinfield (Leeds).