The Newcastle Jets striker has not been included in the 26-strong squad for the Middle East trip which sees Australia take on Iraq and Qatar in the next 11 days.

His exclusion was no surprise to Griffiths but the player today told au.fourfourtwo.com that he has no intention of giving up on the green and gold.

He admits though that he is in need of a break from football and has definitely called time on his loan stint with Avispa Fukuoka in Japan.

Griffiths said: "It wasn’t a shock to be left out as I’d sat down with Pim on the Sunday night after the Iraq game and he’d told me the way he was thinking of going.

“To be honest I’m not sure what Pim thinks I am at this stage. I think he’s trying to decide if I’m a striker or an attacking midfielder.

“I worked hard at training in camp but obviously Pim thinks there are better options than me to score goals for Australia. I’m determined to come back though and prove that I’m a better option than them.

“There’s also the issue with my ankle which I really need to rest and that didn’t help me either."

Griffiths admits he has not been 100 per cent though since rolling his left ankle in his very first game for Avispa.

He said: “It was quite a bad one, a grade two sprain, and I probably came back from it quicker than I should have done.

“But when you’re only playing somewhere for a short time, you want to get in as many games as you can.

“That’s it though, I won’t be going back there.”

While Australia prepare for their next World Cup qualifiers, Griffiths’ club Newcastle Jets are also being put through their paces ahead of a new A-League season.

Griffiths popped into training this morning but has been told to forget about football for at least a month.

He said: “I joined in a little bit but really didn’t feel like kicking a football at all.

"Gary van Egmond has told me to go away and just forget about football for a month so that’s what I’ll try and do.

“I’ll try and have a break with the missus and play as much golf as I can. I’m feeling a bit flat to be honest and I need to recharge the batteries and get that drive back.

“Then I can come back refreshed and ready for the season.”

When he returns from his break there is also the question of his future to address. Newcastle have made it clear they want him to sign an extended deal.

Griffiths said: “The ball is in their court. I am waiting for Newcastle to come up with something.

“We’ll see what they have to say. But you look at all the options.”