January’s tournament in Qatar might have come a tad early for Wehen Wiesbaden’s 2. Bundesliga poacher, but he’s been on the Socceroos radar for many months, with assistant Rene Meulensteen in regular contact with the former Sydney FC junior.

If he misses out on this occasion, a call up for the player who has spent the past five years honing his craft in Germany won’t be far away, assuming he builds on his recent progression.

Iredale, 24, signed off for the Christmas break with a goal in his newly promoted club’s 1-1 weekend draw against a high flying St Pauli side featuring Socceroos Jackson Irvine and Connor Metcalfe.

He has two in 12 league appearances this season, seven off those coming off the bench, as was the case against second-placed St Pauli.

Meulensteen was there in person the previous week to watch Iredale in action in a 3-1 loss to Eintracht Braunschweig, and it’s clear the forward named back in 2018 in Arnold’s first training camp on taking charge is making serious inroads.

“I’m not sure about the Asian Cup, fingers crossed I hear something,” Iredale told FTBL. “It’s been a tough ride since my previous call up with a few injuries, and I’m just trying to stay fit now and get as many minutes as possible. 

“That’s been the case so far this year and I know the level that’s required in this league. It’s a strong division and I just need to keep going and hope it brings me a call up at some stage.

“Rene has been out to see me a couple of times and it’s been great to catch up with him. It shows they’re keeping an eye on me.

“His message has always been to focus on the big picture … if it didn’t work out at previous camps or the Asian Cup, or whatever, jthe message is to just keep going.

“It would be a huge honour to be involved again - it’s something I've wanted since I was very young. 

“I remember watching the Socceroos journey at the 2015 Asian Cup (on home soil) and dreamed of wearing the shirt one day. It would mean the world today and is a huge motivation.

“To be in contention now is great for me. I watch them all the time and there are many of the boys I grew up with in there now with the national team.”

Setbacks and false starts during spells with VfL Wolfsburg and SC Paderborn, before signing for Wehen Wiesbaden, only served to underscore Iredale’s strength of character and determination not to admit defeat and return home.

The dividends are beginning to emerge, with Iredale adding: “To get back on the national team radar has been a big accomplishment and it’s given me the inspiration to keep going and trying to learn and improve.

“It’s been a bit of journey that’s for sure - there have been lows but hopefully now the highs keep coming.

“I’m at a family club which feels like home. Coming up from the third division we’re seen as the underdogs but we’ve been doing well and are sitting there in mid table.

“It was nice to get that goal against St Pauli, who came into the game as league leaders. It was an extra bit of motivation to have Jackson and Connor on the other side.”

Iredale, who can operate anywhere in the front third, is off contract in mid-2024 and is open to expanding his horizons behind Germany should then opportunity arise.

“It’s tough here - you’re always fighting and get barely any time on the ball which isn’t always the case on other leagues,” he said.

“Germany is very physical, you need to make very quick decisions on the ball. I’m open to everything really. I haven’t spoken to my club about a new contract yet.

“I’m happy to stay and also open to different possibilities. Really, anything could happen.”