"It's hard for me to look beyond my next two years at Sydney. But I still feel like I've got challenges ahead of me. Whether they are at Sydney or somewhere else that remains to be seen," he tells au.fourfourtwo.com.

Quizzed on whether that would include a potential move off-shore and Bolton replied: "Yeah, I've never closed the door on overseas. It's always there in the back of my mind - but I don't focus on those things. First and foremost is Sydney though."

With just 11 days till the start of A-League season four, anticipation is building ahead of the SFS blockbuster with Melbourne Victory. Injuries aside, Bolton says it's high stakes stuff at Sydney - as always.

"We've got a lot to prove this year," he said. "On paper, we're looking brilliant. If we can get those players on the park at the same time, we should be hard to beat. So there's a lot of pressure on us.

"We showed in the first year that pressure can be a good thing for us. I think we've got the players to react to that pressure in a positive way and I expect big things for us this year. But the biggest challenge will be getting all those players on the park at the same time.

"There is a lot of jostling for positions at training - which is good. Chris Payne is a perfect example, he's 17 and looks pretty good."

Sydney coach John Kosmina has hinted the exciting Payne may start in the biggest game of his life in the season opener.But experience counts.

And 32-year-old Bolton from Bundaberg in Queensland, capped four times for the Socceroos since 2002 and a virtual ever-present at Sydney, will be a vital cog in the club's campaign.

But just making the start of a season is a challenge. It's a long off-season for A-League players - possibly one of the longest in the world. But Bolton admits the last few months have been anything but a chore.

"It's been one of the best I've ever done. Just for the variety. Instead of a lot of running on the park, we've done a lot of gym work, yoga, boxing, swimming - we're trying different things."

Bolton recalls "doing it hard" in season one under Pierre Littbarski, travelling across Sydney to Parklea in the city's west to train, often twice a day, under the German taskmaster who gave Bolton his toughest ever off-season.

The players averaged 10 sessions a week under the former World Cup winner. Come grand final day 2006, the players were dead on their feet. Happy, but exhausted.

In 2008, under John Kosmina, it's been demanding but more balanced. "It keeps the mind fresher. It's a long pre-season so we've been able to keep fresh in the head," says Bolton.

"In saying it's kept us fresh, it does feel a little like we're halfway through the season. So it's a tough balancing act. But it's been really, really good.

"Kossie is like a new-wave coach. He has all these ideas like yoga, a bit like a new-age guru! He looks for alternatives even in the treatment of players."

At this stage, the missing brigade at Moore Park includes John Aloisi, Dez Giraldi, Alex Brosque, Mitchell Prentice, Mark Bridge, Brendan Santalab, Stuart Musialik and Mike Enfield.

Even Bolton had an injury scare last Saturday. He had a minor neck complaint and was replaced by number two Ivan Necevski for Sydney's 2-3 loss to Phoenix in Wollongong in the Pre-Season Cup.

Looking beyond his club and Bolton is a keen observer of other keepers. He says Mark Bosnich has already had a huge impact on the A-League but says Sydney made "Bozza" look the goods in the 3-0 loss to the Mariners recently.

"It was The Bozza Show, but I think we certainly made him look good," he says of the pre-season cup loss.

Bolton adds the hype surrounding Bosnich's debut didn't quite match the actual on-field exhibition - even if it was entertaining.

"I wish we had've done more for him to actually earn the exposure that it got. We put it on a platter for him a little bit. He made the most of it.

"But it was good for the A-League. He's had a good start. He's probably settled now - the nerves and all that and I'm sure he'll be even more composed in the second game he plays."

Bosnich saved Steve Corica's penalty and made a number of flying saves in the 3-0 win to the Mariners - his first competitive outing for around six years.

"Put it this way, it was entertaining, but good on him. He's been out of the game so long and the instincts are still there," said Bolton.

"Bootsa" adds that while Bosnich may've some sharpness to regain, he hasn't lost his instincts.

"I remember watching him at Villa and he was the bees knees. He may've slipped since then but he'll always be recognised as one of the great keepers and one of the great characters. He'll be remembered in a positive frame of mind."

Quizzed on his thoughts about the potential duel between Coast keeper Vukovic and Bosnich and Bolton was adamant who he thought should get the gloves.

"I'd be very surprised if he played in front of Vukovic. If he was able to get in front of Vuka then full credit to him because Vuka is one of the brightest keepers in the league and as I said, I'd be surprised if he played in front of him."

Vukovic is eligible for the first two A-League rounds before his striking ban kicks in which will see him out for rounds three to seven. It's expected Bosnich will take over at that point, perhaps even earlier.

"If he [Bosnich] takes his chances in those five games, then full credit to him, but I've have huge respect for Vuka and I think he'll do well.

"And Lawrie [McKinna] is the type of coach who if he's playing well, he'll stick with him. So it's up to Bozza now.

"But he's got to get signed first - so it's all a little premature to talk about things just yet."