He is due to become a father again on June 1, the day of the Iraq match in Brisbane, but should make himself available for that clash.

Sterjovski’s new arrival will scupper his chances of taking part in the June 7 match against Iraq and then Qatar a week later but he is delighted to be part of the picture under Pim Verbeek.

And for man you might expect to be suffering a relegation hangover following his domestic club’s miserable season, he is actually very positive.

The Derby County midfielder was part of a team tagged the worst in Premier League history as the Rams departed the top flight of English football with just 11 points.

Speaking to the Australian media today, Sterjovski said he wouldn’t turn the clock back and tell Derby to get lost. Certainly there are no second thoughts.
He said: “I wouldn’t change it for the world. I don’t regret it. I love the club.

"It (relegation) is a big blow to the morale but we are all looking forward to next season. I really enjoyed my time even though things didn’t go our way.
“No excuses, we have to start winning games.”

Some players might be looking to jump ship for fear of being forever stained by such a miserable season but not Sterjovski. He said: “I would like to honour my contract. The labels (worst ever team) don’t worry me at all.”

Not that the midfielder intends to stay in Europe indefinitely. A-League bosses might want to consider giving his agent a ring, but they’d be best to leave it for at least three years.

Sterjovski hopes to remain in Europe for another three to four years but wants to return to Australia while he is still firing on all cylinders.

He said: “I would like to come back to Australia and give something back while I still have something in the tank.”

As for the international picture, Sterjovski is optimistic about the hectic June schedule and is delighted with the growing depth of the squad.

He said: “I am looking forward to getting into camp with Pim Verbeek, a great coach and really good with man-management.

“If we can win the Iraq game (in Brisbane) we will be high on confidence. Home games are really important.

“You want a strong squad and it’s good to see a lot of players coming through. If the ‘first eleven’ aren’t available there are quality players to step in.”