Barnsley's Aussie barnstormer

Dougall has hit the ground running at League One club Barnsley after signing from Dutch outfit Sparta Rotterdam.

The defensive midfielder has started all six of Barnsley's League One matches to date, with the Yorkshire side undefeated and in third place with four wins and two draws.

Dougall has starred for the Tykes, impressing their fanbase, and caught the eye of new Socceroos boss Graham Arnold.

"Getting into English football was a dream of mine and this was a good opportunity to come to a team who will hopefully push for promotion and get into the Championship and go from there," he told The Yorkshire Post.

"I used to watch the Premier League as a youngster and it is a tough league. You want to play in it and that is a dream of mine. I followed (Manchester) United) a bit. I have a Scottish father and he obviously liked Sir Alex (Ferguson) and followed them a little bit."

Barnsley are aiming to go straight back up into the Championship after suffering relegation last season.

"It has been a good start," the 25-year-old said.

"Personally, I have still got some improving to do and so does the team. But so far, we have started well and it is looking positive."

Dougall hails from Brisbane and played four times for the Olyroos.

He joins the Socceroos training camp in Turkey next week and is working towards his international debut for the green and gold.

"It is disappointing there is no game as you want to get capped by your nation," he said.

"But training will be good. It will be enjoyable, but hard work, but I am really looking forward to. With it being a training camp, maybe the manager wants to look at a few new faces and that is his job as a new coach.

"It will be exciting, but also challenging."