Nevertheless, we keep producing more. Australia might not be able to buy a striker at the moment, but if burgeoning young talent in the middle of the park is anything to go by, our production stocks are brimming to the tip.

That said, if you had to pick a position to cram another midfielder in - it would be defensively. Jedinak is now 32-years-old, and like any 6’3 midfielder at that age, he’s slowing down. Milligan’s an apt replacement, but at 31, he’s no spring chicken either.

Enter Jackson Irvine.

To anyone who wasn’t aware of the young gun’s phenomenal quality, the 24-year-old rocketed himself into the national spotlight last month with sumptuous displays against Iraq and the United Arab Emirates – securing victory against Eyal Zayed with a deadly header.

Irvine’s Socceroos breakthrough is just reward for a stunning season in the English Championship. Irvine’s performances have seen him eclipse the like of Luongo and Rogic of late - making him one of the Socceroos’ most promising young prospects.

After arriving at newly promoted Burton Albion as the club’s record signing last year, Irvine has gone on to lead a club many pundits considered the Championship’s weakest, to their position (prior to the overnight matches) three spots above the relegation zone.

It’s Irvine’s natural leadership that could see him one day fill the role of the current Socceroos captain. The similarities between Irvine and Jedinak are bountiful, and they’re not limited to mentality, either.

Like Australia’s skipper at his age, Irvine’s lanky but quickly filling out, can easily fill the role of a centre-back, and has an undeniable knack for finding the back of the net. An outstanding 10 goals in just 35 appearances for Burton confirms that.

Whether he can crack a freekick from halfway remains to be seen, but the main difference between Irvine and Jedinak seems to be Irvine’s talent’s been undisputable since a young age.  

Scottish giants Celtic first spotted Irvine as a 17-year-old Melbourne Victory youngster, and in his first season for the Hoops, the hirsute Aussie captained their under 19’s side to the league and cup double

Irvine toughed it out on loan with Kilmarnock and Ross County for two seasons, but he was quick to earn admirers. When the Brewers came knocking – it’s a chance the young Socceroo grabbed with both hands.

It seems the move to Burton couldn’t have come at a better time for the powerful midfielder. The Championship is the perfect platform for securing big moves, and whether Albion stays up or not, Irvine will certainly attract some offers.

Whether he takes them is another question. Irvine’s already rumoured to have rejected a $160,000-a-week pay rise to move to China, so the young Aussie is clearly thinking long-term.

Yet among all the unknowns, there is one certainty in Irvine’s career - the Socceroos have yet another midfielder whose form insists upon a starting berth.

It’s a different sort of selection headache for Ange Postecoglou, and one he’ll welcome.  For the first time in his reign, the Australian coach has a substantial base of young Socceroos playing regularly in Europe.

Alongside Irvine, Mustafa Amini and James Jeggo are the two pre-eminent examples. It must be somewhat reminiscent of Murphy’s Law for Ange that they’re vying for positions Australia’s already got covered.

With the World Cup only a year away, Postecoglou has tough decisions to make. Jedinak will be almost 34-years-old by then - and playing a 3-4-3 formation – lacking pace in defensive midfield could leave Australia very vulnerable to swift counter-attacks.

But can Postecoglou replace his leadership? As the likes of Irvine, Jeggo and Amini continue to press their claims for selection, Australia finds itself in a race against time to cement a first choice squad – even in our strongest area of the pitch.