The Sydney FC striker's hopes of featuring under Pim Verbeek recently have been thwarted by injury but now he's back in action, the hero of November 2005 is hoping for another taste.

However, he isn't expecting to simply walk straight back into the squad, he knows he will have to earn a spot.

Aloisi told au.fourfourtwo.com: "Uzbekistan is a team no-one really knows a lot about. I saw a little bit of them in the Asian Cup and they looked very strong.

"I think they're very similar to Russia in the way they play and it's going to be a tough test. I think a point's a good result over there, although you want to win every game you play.

"We've got the warm up game with Holland first and that is a good lead up match for the boys."

Aloisi hopes when the next qualifier comes round (in October) he will be back in the mix.

He said: "That would be nice. First of all though I have to do well for Sydney.

"But they (the Socceroos staff) have rung up to find out how my injury was going. I haven't spoken personally to Pim though."