Jimmy Jeggo's transformation into a genuine holding midfielder with Sturm Graz was critical to his selection in Ange Postecoglou's latest Caltex Socceroos squad.
Jeggo, 24, has started every match in the Austrian Bundesliga this season as Sturm Graz have surged to the top of the table, and his form as a defensive midfielder has seen him named in the Socceroos for the first time.
Postecoglou announces latest Caltex Socceroos squad
Meet the Vienna-born Caltex Socceroos bolter
Australia will visit Saudi Arabia on October 6 and then travel to Melbourne to host Japan five days later as the final group phase of Asian World Cup qualifying continues.
Speaking at the squad announcement on Tuesday, Postecoglou indicated that he's still looking for a player from the next generation to put pressure on regular defensive midfielders Mile Jedinak, 32, and Mark Milligan, 31.
"He's [Jeggo] playing in a team that's top of the table. I've watched every one of his games and he's looked pretty strong," Postecoglou said in Melbourne.
"He's fit, he's playing as a six - a very deep-lying midfielder - and it's an area, where at the moment we've got Mile and obviously 'Millsy', who can play there, but not a lot below that in terms of guys coming through.
"We're getting quite a few as attacking midfielders, so - like I said - it made sense to have a look at him because he's in good form and he's fit."
Jeggo, Sparta Rotterdam's Craig Goodwin and Preston North End's Bailey Wright were the additions to Postecoglou's squad compared to the group that took on Iraq and United Arab Emirates in World Cup qualifiers earlier this month.
Nathan Burns (FC Tokyo), Apo Giannou (Guangzhou R&F) and Josh Risdon (Perth Glory) have missed out.
Goodwin has started solidly in the Eredivisie, making five appearances for recently-promoted Sparta as a left winger and scoring one goal.
Postecoglou wants another look at the 24-year-old considering three of his wide attacking options - Burns, Robbie Kruse and Chris Ikonomidis - haven't played much recently.
"He's had a decent start to his career over there. He's going ok," Australia's boss said.
"But it's an area of the park where we're still a little bit thin in terms of just getting players, who have regular game time."
Goodwin missed Sparta's match over the weekend with what Postecoglou described as "a minor knock" but the latter has no doubt the former Adelaide United flyer should be fit for next month's international matches.
Postecoglou also dismissed concerns surrounding goalkeeper Mat Ryan, who hurt his knee training with Valencia last week.
"The reports from the medical team in Valencia is that he should be back training next week and should be available for selection the weekend before our camp," he said.
"So if he's available for selection for them, he's available for selection for us."
