Craig Moore is the only A-League exception when it comes to Pim Verbeek's current automatic selections for the Socceroos.

But McKay, preparing for Australia's Asian Cup clash with Kuwait in Canberra, doesn't believe the door to South Africa is completely shut.

Speaking from the squad's training base, he told au.fourfourtwo.com: "You never know what will happen in the future. Mark Milligan and Michael Beauchamp (both A-League players at the time) went to the World Cup (in 2006)."

If a couple of A-League spots are there to be grabbed, McKay said: "The boys want to be pressing for selection."

The immediate challenge however is Thursday's Canberra meeting with Kuwait - the opposition when McKay earned his first cap back in 2006.

He said: "I only played three minutes in that game but I'd settle for the same result again, a 2-0 win."

The Queensland Roar midfielder said the players were really benefiting from the extra preparation, denied to them for the first qualifier in Indonesia and that the group was bonding well.

He said: It's extremely important (we win). You must win your home games. The coaching staff have got across how they want us to play."

While McKay is hopeful of a run against Kuwait, he will be just as happy if Queensland Roar colleague Mitch Nichols is given his chance. If so, he has no doubts the youngster will grab the opportunity with both hands.

He said: "He has been great for the Roar. He grabbed his chance when he came into the team for Charlie Miller and if he gets his chance (at international level) then he'll definitely take it. He is one for the future."