Injury has robbed the winger of his chance to be part of Australia’s World Cup qualifier against China on Wednesday while club side Derby County is on course to be the worst side ever to be relegated from the English Premier League.

But however low it gets for Mile, you won’t find elder brother Nick complaining. After all, little brother is living big brother’s Derby dream.

The Australian international's brother has supported the Rams from his New South Wales home for 15 years and Nick Sterjovski, 32, could not believe it when his younger sibling arrived at Pride Park.

He had previously told Mile, 28, to sign for the Rams but the move did not materialise and the winger went to Turkish club Genclerbirligi.

But when the move turned sour and Derby boss Paul Jewell came knocking, Mile could not wait to tell his older brother the news.

Sterjovski junior told the Burton Mail newspaper: “He’s been a supporter for roughly about 15 to 20 years, I don't know how that came about.

"He’s been following the games since we were kids, since he was 10 or 12. He always supported underdogs.

“When my contract was coming up at Basel, he was joking around saying ‘you've got to go to Derby’ and I said I’d see what came up.

“I always had trouble getting a work permit for the UK, then in the end I signed in Turkey and things weren’t working out.

“The Derby move came about and I signed. He was so happy, he couldn't believe it. It was like a dream come true for him!

“He tried to come over for the Man U-Chelsea week but he couldn't get the time off work.

“But he's going to look to come as soon as he gets time off - it all depends on whether he can get the time off work."

Sterjovski’s Socceroo absence might prove a blessing in disguise as far as his domestic duties are concerned.

He said: “I was happy with the way things are going. I've settled well and am happy with the way I was progressing.

"So, it’s come at a bad time, I guess. The team hasn’t been winning. The only difference (in China) will be if we get a win there because that’s something I haven't had since I've come here.

“It's much different here. Myself and my family are happy here. We're settling in quickly. We love the city, we love the people - we find them really friendly.”