Middlesbrough-based Williams, 22, has not played competitive first-team football for over 10 months due to pelvis and groin injuries which kept him out of Australia's final World Cup squad.

But the Perth-born youngster is on the road to recovery having played 45 minutes for Boro in a behind-closed-doors friendly last week against Sheffield United.

Williams is now determined to return to action and get back into the Socceroos fold.

"Missing the World Cup through injury isn't quite out of my system just yet but it's made me more hungry and more determined to get to the next one and show the country what I can do," Williams told The West Australian.

"But my main goal now is to get back into Middlesbrough's first team before I even consider the national team."

Williams said his long spell on the sidelines had been difficult at times, but thanked the support of his family and girlfriend for helping him through.

"It's been horrible," Williams said. "I'm lucky I had so long in Australia to recover.

"Then when I got back (to England) I've got a new house so I've had that to sort out. And I've got my girlfriend here and I've had family here and they've all helped.

"As an injured footballer you can never hide all your frustrations and there have been times when I've done things I shouldn't have done. But I can see the light at the end of the tunnel now."

Williams will hope to soon return to the Middlesbrough side which is struggling down the wrong end of the English Championship table.

"It's not gone perfectly but we've got a new manager in and he's trying to put his stamp on things and we are already starting to see a change," he said.