Australia boss Pim Verbeek has flown to the UK to try to persuade Viduka to come back into the fold as the Socceroos aim to qualify for South Africa 2010.

But Viduka has been reticent about committing himself.

Now he has revealed for the first time that he would be willing to consider a part-time place in the squad...on his terms.

"It's a really tough decision for me with Australia because I'm at the age where I have to look after my body and get the most out of it that I can," he told The Northern Echo in the UK.

"I love meeting up with the guys and representing my country, but I want to play for Newcastle for as long as and as often as I can.

"I want to be able to give 100 per cent to Newcastle. I might be able to pick and choose international games, but I'm having a chat with the coach so we'll see what comes from that."

Viduka has been plagued by small niggling injuries that have robbed him of a regular first team place since making the switch from Middlesbrough to Newcastle United this season.

But since his return to first team football, he has helped turned Toon's season around and helped them escape the looming threat of relegation.

However Viduka, 32, admitted: "I'm not at my strongest, I'm still working my way back to that because I had a couple of niggling injuries.

"As you get older it gets tougher to shake off injuries and I'm into my 30s now. When you're young you recover quicker, you can shake things off and you can play with the knocks.

"It doesn't affect you as much, but I'm not that age any more. I just have to accept that and do the best I can."