“The A-League has been great for Australia. It’s really improved things in all different ways and everyone concerned has done a brilliant job.

"But when you only play 21-25 games a season it makes it very hard, especially if like me you want to be part of the next World Cup campaign. And I’m at that age,” the 25-year-old Jet tells www.au.fourfourtwo.com.

“You know if you haven’t got a game to look forward to, then you really can’t stay match fit. I train by myself to keep as fit as I can but you need games at the highest level.

"My Socceroo goal is long term and I want to be a part of the national team, so it's important to be playing oveseas to push my case. It's been terrible in the off-season."

On Sunday, Carle turned out for Sydney Olympic in the NSW premier league. And although they won 1-0 against Wollongong, the frustration of a long off-season is taking its toll as he sees his Socceroo ambitions ebb away through lack of top level football. This was his first 90 minutes of football in three months.

The former Troyes midfield man is quick to point out that Newcastle has been very accommodating with his present contract. And if he was to move overseas “they’d [the Jets] need to be looked after. It'd have to suit me and I have a real good relationship with Jets.”

But you get the feeling he won’t suffer through another drawn out A-League off-season like this one. The Jets officially begin their pre-season training on June 11.

The talented midfielder returned the national team recently after a three year absence. He was a late sub in the Socceroos’ victory over China.

Carle says he’s unsure of his chances of making the Asian Cup squad, due to be announced soon. “It’s most important to keep as fit as possible. Fingers crossed. It's going to be difficult."