Over the next six months, every Australian player with ambition will be vying for selection in the nation's World Cup squad.
Several A-League-based players have made an impression in the early part of the season and could be considered as an option going forward.
Which domestic league players would you take on the plane to Russia?
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Toggle1Andrew Nabbout (Newcastle Jets)
After not getting much opportunity at Melbourne Victory and leaving Australia to find regular football in Malaysia, Nabbout has become a quality A-League player at the Newcastle Jets.
The 24-year-old winger surprised last season to score eight goals and win the Jets' fans player of the year award.
He has continued to improve this campaign – scoring five goals and assisting four in the first 10 games – and has even has been deployed as an emergency striker during Roy O'Donovan's injury troubles.
Nabbout would be a left-field option but his power and versatility across the attacking positions could make him a valuable squad member in Russia.
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2Michael Zullo (Sydney FC)
Zullo is another player who has been capped for the Socceroos at a younger age but with injuries and poor form derailing his career overseas, has now been in steady form for Sydney FC since his return to the A-League at the start of last season.
The 29-year-old is an attacking full-back, whose defensive capabilities have improved as he has become more experienced.
Left back has been a problem position during the World Cup qualifying campaign and while Aziz Behich appears to have made the spot his own with his quality performances in Turkey, Zullo will be among a number of other options considered.
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3Brandon O'Neill (Sydney FC)
The Sky Blue midfielder is reportedly being courted by the Irish national team with his form in the A-League being strong for the past 12 months.
O'Neill is a hard-working, no-frills midfielder who is deadly from long-range and also set pieces.
His steady play in a holding role could be the stabilising influence a new national team coach is looking for – particularly if Jedinak doesn't come good.
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4Rhys Williams (Melbourne Victory)
It's fair to say that Melbourne Victory's struggling season would be worse if it wasn't for the performances of Williams at the heart of the defence.
Time and time again, Williams has been a rock in an exposed defence, showing that he is returning to the form that helped him achieve captaincy at Championship side Middlesbrough in 2012.
The 29-year-old has also proved to be adept on the ball striding into midfield and has been a threat at set pieces despite being yet to score for Kevin Muscat.
Williams has 14 caps for the national team but hasn't taken the field for the green and gold since November 2013.
At his best form he is definitely an option for the Socceroos and it appears he isn't too far off reaching this benchmark.
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