Former Adelaide United duo James Jeggo and Craig Goodwin are doing their best to impress during the current Caltex Socceroos camp as they seek to earn selection in Tuesday's World Cup Qualifier against Thailand.
The pair are both relative new comers to Ange Postecoglou’s squad, with their form in Austria and the Netherlands respectively earning them call ups for consecutive World Cup qualifying windows.
For Jeggo, who now plays for SK Sturm Graz following two seasons in the City of Churches, the extended training camp in Bangkok is another chance to advance his development.
“You notice the step up from club level straight away and training is very quick and intense, but I think it’s something as a player you love and enjoy testing yourself at a higher level,” Jeggo told FFA TV.
“I absolutely loved it last time and I’ve picked up little things I can improve on and take back to my club.”
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Given the abundance of midfield talent currently at Postecoglou’s disposal the 24-year-old may yet have to bide his time for an international debut.
However that hasn’t perturbed the former NAB Young Player of the Year from doing his best to compete with defensive midfield stalwarts Mile Jedinak and Mark Milligan.
“Obviously the last camp there was a lot of travelling and there wasn’t much time between games so there wasn’t much training,” said Jeggo.
“One of the big things getting called up for this camp was the chance to have a bit of time on the training pitch and try to impress the boss.
“I think you can see in the sessions everyone has a similar idea, training has been really intense and of a really good standard.
“For everyone I think it’s a good opportunity and it can only help the team, everyone trying to impress going into the game on Tuesday.”
Goodwin comes into camp on the back of some great club form, having netted in his last start in the Eredivisie and helping Sparta Rotterdam dump Dutch giants PSV out of the KNVB Beker (Netherland’s League Cup).
The versatile winger was given a few minutes off the bench in Australia’s recent friendly against England but believes the extended training camp has given everyone in the sqaud a better chance to push their credentials.
“We had a session yesterday that was a lot longer than the sessions we’ve done previously,” Goodwin told FFA TV.
“It gives those new players, ones that perhaps haven’t had a chance in a game yet, to show a bit more than in the shorter sessions.
“It’s been a good week so far, everyone’s doing well and we’re looking fit and ready for the game.”