Williams, 21, has emerged as a first-choice player for Middlesbrough this campaign having made his Socceroos debut last June against Japan in Melbourne.

The Perth-born utility now has his eyes fixed on sealing his spot in the Socceroos squad for the World Cup.

"It would be a dream come true to be selected," Williams told the Evening Gazette.

"Obviously he (Pim Verbeek) picks 27 first and then drops four before the tournament so it is a nervous time and I'll just have to wait and see.

"The squad is announced on May 11. I'll have my eyes glued on the telly all day and the websites so we'll see what happens."

Williams also would love to help Middlesbrough gain promotion back to the Premier League after relegation from the top flight last season.

Middlesbrough are currently ninth in the Championship, seven points behind Leicester City who occupy the final playoffs spot in sixth.

Leicester, though, lost 3-0 on Friday night to Midlands rivals West Bromwich, presenting several clubs with a chance to push for a playoffs berth.

Williams added: "If we can win our remaining games and beat Leicester on the final day of the season anything can still happen and we're still hopeful we can go up.

"If they lose and we win twice over Easter we'll close the gap. We've got our fingers crossed that results go our way but we've got to do our job and win games."

Either way, Williams knows it has been a breakthrough season for him.

"For me this season has been a success because I've got in the team, I've kept my spot, when I've been fit I've been picked," he said.

"I think I could have topped it off with a promotion - which is still possible. Promotion and the World Cup squad, if that happens I couldn't ask for anymore.

"I'm buzzing with the way things have gone for me. I've made my international debut for Australia and I'm a regular in the Aussie squad now so the only thing I would change is our results and where we are in the table. We want to be further up.

"I signed a new contract in December and I'm delighted to have signed that. It's three-and-a-half more years here and, hopefully, it will be a successful three-and-a-half years under Gordon Strachan."

Williams and Middlesbrough host Nick Carle's Crystal Palace in the Championship tonight.