Carney flies back to his new Uzbek club Bunyodkor today ahead of their March 6 opening match-day ACL clash at the Jar Stadium against the Reds.

And after coming on as a late substitute for the green and gold during last night’s 4-2 win over the Saudis, Carney feels his career is slowly getting back on track at club and Socceroo level.

“I need to get fit and I need match fitness but we have our first game against Adelaide in the Asian Champions League coming up,” the 28-year-old told au.fourfourtwo.com.

“You couldn’t have picked it, could you? Kossie I’m sure he’ll have them fired up so it’s going to be a good game."

Carney first caught Holger Osieck’s eye playing for Sydney FC in the 2007 ACL against the German coach’s club side Urawa Red Diamonds.

With the Socceroo coach clearly still a fan, that’s good news for the player.

“Basically, Holger told me to get playing," said Carney. "And once I’m playing I’ll be straight back in the national team.”

Last night, the former Blackpool player had a 10-minute run in place of injured Matt Spiranovic.

As the Socceroos ripped apart the Saudis with a devastating three minute-three goal blitz, Carney was able to ease himself in down the left.

The new Bunyodkor signing was a regular in the national team at the 2011 Asian Cup. In fact it was his performances in Qatar that caught the eye of the Uzbeks, though his defensive game was questioned after Japan’s winning goal in the tournament’s final.

He last played for Australia against Germany in a 2-1 friendly win almost a year ago in Europe, but Osieck was keen for him to return to the Socceroo fold.

“He said today to me I’m only ready for 20 minutes," revealed Carney. "But he said get back playing so I can get you back in the team.

“That’s good confidence from the manager; it’s what I need. It was good to be back in the mix and injury free. Once I get a couple of games under my belt, I’ll be alright.”

Carney, a former Everton youth team player alongside Wayne Rooney, insisted he hasn’t changed his playing style and is still more of an attacking left sided player rather than a defender.

He added: “Obviously I like to play more attacking but if he [Osieck] wants me at leftback, I got to do what he says.

“I’ve played leftback for a while but I like to get forward a lot but I have my defensive duties which is why I need to be fit.

“The boss is happy he has options [with Zullo also at leftback], which is good for the future.”

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