The midfielder’s club, Premier League strugglers Huddersfield, are strongly resisting Mooy’s involvement in the tournament, insisting his medial collateral ligament injury will sideline him for the whole of January.
But Mooy, Coles, Arnold and an independent doctor will collaborate to make a final determination which could see the key man board a plane to Dubai on Boxing Day, and possibly play the final group game against Syria on January 16.
Coles, who is in Yorkshire assessing the injury, has already viewed the MRI scans, and FFA head of performance Luke Casserly insisted that Mooy will only travel if it’s in his “best long-term interests” and will not be placed at undue risk of a re-occurrence or fresh injury.
Australia have until six hours before their opening game against Jordan on January 6 to make any alterations to their squad.
And Arnold is keen for Mooy, 28, to receive intensive treatment from Australia’s medical staff in Dubai to speed his recovery.
“Phil Coles is in the UK now working with them and we’ll see where it lands,” said FFA’s head of performance Luke Casserly.
“It’s all about what’s best for Aaron, and if that means he’s going to be available in time to help us as well then that’s great.
“And, if not, then it just is what it is. We won’t push the envelope too much and risk injuring him again playing for us.”
Terriers boss David Wagner has re-iterated the club’s view that Mooy won’t make it, saying: “Australia will make further investigations - and this is what I expect - to get confirmed what we already said 10 days ago.
“It’s all about Aaron Mooy and his long-term career, so we will and he will rush nothing. He has to make sure everything heals properly.”
However, Casserly insisted the Socceroos - in concert with Mooy - will make the final call, not Huddersfield.
“We will work closely with the club and it’s ultimately our selection decision,” added Casserly.
“It’s down to our medical staff to rule him fit or unfit to play for us, not somebody else’s medical staff.”
Arnold said earlier in the week: “Aaron wants to play the Asian Cup.
“He believes that he will be ready, and so do we, and there’s a process we have to go through and we’ll do that.”
