To see today's training session...

The Celtic forward is hoping for a start on Wednesday night and although he would plough a lone furrow if asked, admits he'd love to play alongside Josh Kennedy.

Speaking at the team's hotel in Parramatta this afternoon, McDonald said preparations were going well for the match.

"(I am) confident, I'm enjoying training and being back home," he said. "I think it always helps (the extra days of preparation).

"You can set your stall out a lot better and the manager can get out what he wants, work on team shape and a lot of things like that."

Pim Verbeek has opted for one lone striker, particularly away from home, but McDonald would love to be part of an attacking partnership on Wednesday night.

He said: "I play that week in and week out for my club team and of course I'm much more comfortable playing with the two. But if you're asked to do it up there on your own then I'm more than happy to do that also."

If Verbeek does go for a McDonald-Kennedy attack then the Celtic man won't be complaining. "I think it suits me obviously because the foil I have at Celtic is a big guy like him, a target man that I can play off.

"I've known Josh (Kennedy) since we played together in the youth side. We know each other quite well so it would be nice to form a partnership for the future."

McDonald said the players would sit down this evening and watch Uzbekistan's weekend victory. He said: "They've been quite a good side all the way through. You could say they've been a little bit unlucky with a couple of their results already.

"They'll be trying to get to seven points (with a win over Australia) and then they're back in the race. It's a big game."

The Celtic man said he expected the visitors to come at the Socceroos on Wednesday night. He said: "They've got nothing to lose and everything to gain. I don't see it any other way than them coming out to try and beat us."

McDonald said playing at home always brings added pressure and expectations but that was nothing new.

"Everyone expects big things and hopefully we can deliver. I hope (to get a start) but only time will tell.

"I can only do my bit on the training ground and see what the manager's thinking. At the end of the day it's solely up to him."

The man known as McSocceroo is certainly happy with his form going into the game on Wednesday, albeit his international goal collection is far cry from his contribution for Celtic at this stage.

He said: "Probably since the turn of the year I've been a lot better. I'm back in the goals again and playing some good football. We picked up another trophy (the Scottish League Cup) the other week and we're three points clear at the top of the table. I couldn't be any happier at the moment."

Socceroos supporters are all hoping to cheer their team to the brink of World Cup qualification on Wednesday and McDonald admits he'd give anything to be the man that fires the goal (or goals) that matter.

"(I'd give) my right arm. It would be nice wouldn't it? Whether or not I start or come on and get that winning goal it would be a great honour," he said.

McDonald believes he has shown he can perform on the big stage, including the UEFA Champions League, but wants to now show his skills on the biggest stage of all, the World Cup.

"The World Cup is the big one and that's what you want to play in. I'm very envious of what the boys did last time (in Germany) so it would be huge for me if we were to get there again."

To see today's training session...