The Johnny Warren Medal-winner will be handed a Socceroo start against Ghana at the Sydney Football Stadium and is anxious to show coach Pim Verbeek that he can sparkle amid the highest international company.

Griffiths is fresh from a stint with second tier Japanese outfit Avispa Fukuoka and cannot wait to get stuck into the Ghanians.

At his Wednesday press conference ahead of the match Verbeek had confirmed Griffiths as a starter and said ‘it’s showtime’.

Griffiths said: “Yes, it’s showtime. I read the paper.

“It is a big occasion and I’m looking forward to it. He’s (Verbeek) given me a chance and I’ve just got to try and take it with both hands and have a good game.”

The former Leeds United striker was very disappointed to miss out on the previous squad that played in Singapore but Griffiths has put that firmly behind him.

He said: “I’m over that. I was disappointed for a day or so. These things happen in football.

"But I’ve got a chance now to prove myself. I’m looking forward to the challenge in front of me.”

Griffiths can expect a testing evening against a tough Ghanian defence but then he’s hardly a shrinking violet.

He said: “Ghana are a good side. They’re very physical and they’re one of the best teams in Africa.

"It’s a good challenge for not just myself obviously a few of the other boys who are coming into the side. Hopefully we can get a good result and do the best for Australia.”

Griffiths is expected to be part of a three-pronged attack alongside Harry Kewell and Mile Sterjovski against Ghana.

The Newcastle Jets man will need to reverse a largely miserable record at the SFS with the player failing to find the net at Moore Park for his club side last year or in his first season with the club.

But his stint in Japan has left him feeling better than ever but it looks as though that particular chapter is closed, definitely so if he makes it into the final reckoning for the World Cup qualifiers against Iraq and Qatar.

Asked if he had benefited from his spell alongside Mark Rudan and Ufuk Talay at Fukuoka he said: “Yes, definitely. I feel fit, feel good and feel sharp.

“I don’t think I’ll be going back to Japan. We’ll just see what happens in the next couple of weeks, see if I’m in Pim’s plans or not. Then probably have a month off going into the new season.

“Pretty tough to repeat last year but I’ll be doing my best. Obviously it starts with a good pre-season and really getting stuck in.”