The 23-year-old defender is presently starring for Graham Arnold’s side in the Intercontinental Cup and was part of the team that thrashed Togo 4-0 to book a Friday semi-final spot in the Beijing warm up tournament.

The former West Ham United youngster helped Hereford to win promotion into the third tier of English football last season but that doesn’t mean he is guaranteed to be at Edgar Street next season.

An impressive Olympic tournament could see other suitors emerge, with a move back to Australia not being ruled out.

While other members of the Olyroos squad are playing in the A-League or part of big-name clubs overseas, McClenahan is plying his trade in altogether less glamorous surroundings.

He told au.fourfourtwo.com: “When you’re at a bigger club I suppose you get noticed more and more publicity. In a sense maybe you do have to work harder and have to prove yourself a little bit more.

“Players go through different stages in their career. Along the way you just have to make sure you keep improving.

“It was fantastic to end last season winning promotion with Hereford. It was a massive thing back there. We had one of the smallest budgets in the division and had been one of the favourites for relegation. It was great to prove people wrong.

“So, yes I’m on a bit of a high still because of that. My contract there is up so I’m just waiting for them to contact me. It’s fair to say my options are open at this stage.”

Rounding off the Intercontinental Cup in impressive fashion plus a good Olympics could see those options increase dramatically.

McClenahan, a former skipper of the Qantas Young Socceroos, said: “I’ve been involved with the national team since the Under 20s and to be in the Under 23s is a great honour.

“Every game at international level is a shop window.

“Can I see myself in the A-League? Of course. I’m an Australian and I want to play in Australia one day.

“Whether it’s right now, in five years or 10 years, I don’t know. You just want to choose the best option open to you.”

It seems his international teammates aren’t as well informed about Hereford’s achievements though as the players talk in between games in Malaysia.

McClenahan joked: “I can tell you how many of the players would know where Hereford is on a map. A big zero. None of them.”