SYDNEY, Aug 29 (Reuters) - Injuries have forced captain Craig Moore and forward Harry Kewell out of Australia's Oceania World Cup qualifiers with the Solomon Islands.

Australian soccer officials said Moore had been ruled out with a hamstring problem and that Kewell was still suffering from a hernia injury.

Romanian-based defender Michael Thwaite joined the squad as Moore's replacement while Queensland Roar striker Alex Brosque was brought in for Kewell.

Australia host the Solomon Islands in Sydney on Saturday before a return leg in Honiara three days later.

The winner of the tie will play off against the fifth-placed South American team for a spot in next year's World Cup finals in Germany.