It has been a remarkable rise for Nabbout, who has never represented Australia at any level and was on the A-League scrap-heap only three years ago when he was released by Melbourne Victory.

The striker resurrected his career in the Malaysian second division and earned a contract with Newcastle in 2016. Nabbout has been outstanding for the Jets for the past two seasons, scoring 18 goals and grabbing seven assists in 46 games.

Now signed with Japanese giant Urawa Red Diadmonds, the 25-year-old is set to make his Socceroos debut when Australia takes on Norway in Oslo (Saturday morning AEDT). Whether it is on the wing or up front, the versatile Nabbout cares little.

“I’ll play anywhere on the field mate, as long as I get a chance,” he told FourFourTwo.

“I’ll play anywhere. I’m obviously adapted to the number 9 role at Newcastle with Roy O’Donovan injured for most of the season, I’ve kind of used to that.

“Having boys like Timmy Cahill around you just learn a little bit more, you learn a lot from all players. I learnt a lot from Roy at my time in Newcastle. Timmy’s a different kind of player and you learn a lot, you just add another notch to your belt from them as well.

“It’s good having those boys around. As long as I get on that field, I’ll play in goals if I have to! I don’t really mind. To be able to pull on that jersey is going to be a huge honour, no matter where I’m playing.”

Nabbout has been in a rich vein of form for the Jets this season, attracting interest from Urawa. With the Socceroos in need of regular goal-scorers, the attacker could fill a vital need in Bert van Marwijk’s squad.

“I did OK playing up top for Newcastle, but we’ve got a lot of goal-scorers here,” he said.

“Tommy’s playing very well in Europe and Timmy’s always there to score goals. Even the wide players there – Leckie, Kruse – you’ve got so many players in the team who can score goals.

“I’ve come from a team where a lot of players have been scoring, in Newcastle, and I don’t see much different here. There’s a lot of players that can hurt teams, from both open play and set pieces.

“I hope I can do my role for the team. But I’m not the only player who can score goals.”