Burns, 22, returns to the national team for the first time since 2008 as part of an exciting, youthful Socceroo squad. 

And Berger sees the AEK player - loaned out to Greek second division club Corfu last season - as playing a similar role to new Socceroo hero Brett Holman in behind the strikers.

"His performances in the festival of football were absolutely important for this selection," Berger said today when asked about Burns' selection.

"My preferred style of play is with a specific type of number 10 and I think Brett Holman is that type but also Nathan Burns. He is the right player for such a position.

"And he was already on the stand-by list before he played in the Festival of Football. It more or less confirmed what we hope to see from him."

AEK won the four-team tournament that concluded last Saturday with Burns scoring the winner in the final game against Glasgow Rangers with a neat header.

Burns's earlier performances as an impact sub against Sydney FC and Blackburn also caught the eye.

Berger said the selection of the squad was a team effort between his new assistant coach Aurelio Vidmar and himself - although he added that he will be calling the shots from the bench.

And it's a squad he says that has one eye on the future prize of World Cup 2014 in Brazil as well as the upcoming Asian Cup finals in January.

"This squad is aimed at developing the next phase of the Socceroos' campaign which is aimed at the 2014 FIFA World Cup," said Berger.

"The 2011 Asian Cup is an extremely important step towards that way. But the overall strategy is aimed at preparing for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil."

Meanwhile the October 9 Socceroo friendly in Australia is set to be announced soon.

A-League players  - except Jade North who was technically listed as belonging to Norwegian club Tromso while the FFA await his International Transfer Certicate to finalise his move to Wellington Phoenix - weren't considered for this game due to the travel factor and disruption to the new A-League season

But they will be considered for next month's two friendlies in Europe.

Berger refused to say whether or not the new Socceroo coach will be in the stands for the game in in Ljubljana, Slovenia next Wednesday August 11 (Kick-Off 8:45pm local, 4:45am AEST).

He also said he hadn't decided on his starting XI but in this one-off game the Socceroos, he said, will likely remain playing a 4-3-3 formation.