With a third consecutive home win in their sights, Roar will go into the Christmas period looking to extend a four-match unbeaten run and cement a spot in the the A-League's top two.

Following a rare weekend off spent at the beach Nichols said he was keen to get stuck back into training in an effort to claim a starting spot against the New Zealand side.

He said: “We only get Christmas Day off so we can sit back and relax then but straight back into it on Boxing Day.

“This weekend’s game is crucial. If we get the three points it puts us in good stead for the championship."

The 19-year-old said he had noticed a renewed energy at training in recent weeks.

He said: “The sessions are getting harder, more intense and everyone’s in good spirits looking to keep pushing on."

The attacking midfielder has been a revelation since his return from Young Socceroos duty last month with two goals in the last two matches at home.

With Charlie Miller ruled out for about a month, Nichols has timed his run perfectly, but he said he wasn’t overawed by filling the star Scotsman’s shoes.

He said: “I don’t really feel any pressure. The gaffer talks to us and tells us how to play and we just go out there and hopefully I can do that.

“I’ve just been training hard and I’ve got a bit of confidence from the (Australian) Under-20s and I just brought that back.

“The Perth match was the first time I’ve really played the position that I want to play and I enjoyed it. I had a good game and it was good to get a win at home again.

“I think that’s my best position because I’m close to the striker, I can make runs in behind and I’m always in the box looking for goals.”

After signing a two-year contract extension last week, the former Palm Beach star is considering a move to Brisbane and said he wanted to push for some silverware with the Roar.

“It’s good that I got my future sorted out so I don’t have that in the back of my mind.

“I just want to continue playing in the first team and hopefully we can make the grand final.

“That’d be good to make this year, if not this year then in the coming years. But we’re in a good position so we could easily do it," he said.