As the Socceroos gather in Sydney this week for next week's vital World Cup qualifier, Covic leaves Australia for Swedish club IF Elfsborg where he begins a three year deal.

With the Swedish league set to kick off in the next few weeks and the chance to play UEFA Cup football, Covic hopes he can regain his spot in the Socceroo squad over the next few months.

"It's a position I didn't want to get in to. I want to work my way back but I'm under no illusion," he told au.fourfourtwo.com.

A year ago, Covic was a starter against Singapore and was a shadow member of the Socceroo squad for much of the year.

However, last season saw him fall behind the likes of Adam Federici and Eugene Galekovic as his club Newcastle faltered badly in the A-League.

But now the one-time third choice keeper at the 2006 World Cup is set for a full season of football, although he is not getting too carried away with thoughts of an immediate return to the green and gold.

"If I don't play well, or perform, I'm realistic about my chances," he admitted.

"But the World Cup is a year away and hopefully in that time I'll have some quality games in the UEFA Cup and in the Swedish league."

And in a positive piece of news for the 33-year-old former Hammarby shot-stopper, the FFA have requested a copy of his schedule of games in Sweden.

At Elfsborg, Covic will be playing on astro turf. For a keeper, diving on such a surface is not a problem, he says.

"In Sweden they've really developed their astro turf grounds," he said. "It's certainly not like diving on concrete.

"I spoke with the club and they've been developing the surface for some time and overall the club has fantastic facilities and is well run and financially sound."

As for leaving Newcastle - where he won a grand final - Covic was somewhat philosophical.

He added: "Life throws you some curve balls sometimes. I think Australia is our ultimate home and my wife was really getting used to living here so maybe we will return here after the contract is over."