The 24-year-old Leeds United man, who hasn't played for the Socceroos in over two years, was overlooked for the South Africa tournament by outgoing Australia boss Pim Verbeek despite a strong club campaign last term.

The Beijing Olyroo - who infamously fell out with former Australia coach Graham Arnold - told the Yorkshire Post he's excited by the change at the top.

"It is a new start," he said. "Most of the backroom staff went as well so, hopefully, they can now take a fresh look at me.

"Leeds being in the Championship - and being the biggest club in the division - may help as well because the games are shown in Australia a lot more than is the case with League One."

Kilkenny added he felt let down by Verbeek who he believes never gave him a proper chance to impress.

"It was very disappointing not to be given a chance," he said.

"The manager never saw me train, and I think he only ever saw me play for 20 minutes once.

"I had gone to Australia to train for the Olympics but after that I never heard anything until early this year."

That contact occurred after Kilkenny played a leading role in Leeds' 1-0 surprise victory over Manchester United in the FA Cup.

Kilkenny added: "They came to see me after the Manchester United game but there had been 20 games before that in the season and no contact.

"I appreciate I am on the other side of the world and at the time I was in League One, but I was at the biggest team in League One and we were flying, so surely you would think someone would come to a game or ask for a few DVDs.

"After making contact, they drifted away again and I never heard anything else even though there were still six months until the World Cup. I ended up watching the games on holiday."

The Brisbane-raised player knows his club form will be crucial to his Socceroos ambitions and is optimistic newly promoted Leeds can push for promotion in the Championship.

"Hopefully, we will be in and amongst it," he said. "A lot of teams could be challenging for promotion but we have quite a few players who suit playing at a higher level.

"I feel we are a better team against the good sides, we showed that last season against the likes of Manchester United, Spurs and Liverpool.

"We have to strive for promotion. We showed what we are capable of by beating Wolves. We have to take that form into the league.

"If we can do that, I see no reason why we can't get into the play-offs."

Kilkenny and Leeds United begin their Championship campaign tonight against Derby County.