Kilkenny, 21, tells www.au.fourfourtwo.com that his lack of game time at the Championship club may force his hand at the end of the season.

“I haven’t played as much this year as I did when we were in the premiership. I’ve got two more years on my contract so at the end of the season I will sit down with the manager [Steve Bruce] and have a chat.

“I have to play more regularly to force my way back into the national team.”

Kilkenny debuted as a Socceroo in 2006 against Liechtenstein in a friendly just before the World Cup. He was born in London but grew up in Brisbane, and while he was eligible for both England and Ireland, he pledged his allegiance to Australia.

He made his breakthrough with the Blues in the 2005/6 season ending up with 25 appearances to his name after signing from Arsenal in 2004.

Kilkenny may have a strong cockney accent, but he says he is 100% Aussie. The midfielder claims he’s already learnt the words to Advance Australia Fair and would love to live here.

“This has been the first time I’ve been back and I’m loving it. I wish I could live here!" he said after Wednesday's match against Saudi Arabia.

“When you play for your country you give it not 100% but 110%. You have to be full on when playing for Australia.”

And he’s fired up by the challenge of getting the Olyroos to the Beijing 2008 Olympics, although his availability for the away game in Saudi Arabia in two weeks and other non-FIFA dates is unclear.

“I don’t know. I’d love to play. My manager might stop me coming though. Fingers crossed. Me and the FFA have to work it out.

“The [Olyroo] lads have made me feel welcome and they’re top boys. But we’ve got a job to do when we come back here and that’s the most important thing.”