Carney, 27, has been on the lookout for a new outfit since he was released by his last club Blackpool following the Seasiders' relegation from the Premier League at the end of the season.

But his hunt was further hampered by shoulder surgery in the off-season which also kept him out of the Socceroos' recent friendlies, shutting him out of the transfer market's shop window.

Now though former England boss McClaren is set to swoop for his signature on a contract at one-time European giants Nottingham Forest as he bids to recapture the club's glory days.

Carney worked well under McClaren during his one season at FC Twente in the Eredivisie before his switch to Blackpool a year ago.

The career of the  former Sydney FC star has taken him around the world and back again since spending a season at Everton as a teenager before moving to Oldham then Hamilton in Scotland before joining Sydney and the A-League.

After two seasons establishing himself as a first team regular and fringe Socceroo, Carney returned to Europe for a stint at Sheffield United and Norwich before joining McClaren at Twente in 2009.

He played 11 games in Holland but was establishing himself as a first team regular when he moved to Blackpool but he again found himself playing second fiddle to an established leftback in the side.

Carney's journeyman career means that with 39 Australia caps, he has now played more games for the Socceroos than he has at any of  his domestic clubs, including Sydney where he appeared 38 times.