Jiangsu Sainty centre-back Sainsbury is expected to be partnered by the returning Matt Spiranovic against Iraq in Perth on Thursday, after Bailey Wright was ruled out with a toe injury.

Hangzhou Greentown defender Spiranovic hasn’t played for the Socceroos since October for a variety of reasons, but his return will see Ange Postecoglou’s first choice Asian Cup pairing reunited.

Henan Jianye defender Ryan McGowan appears set to get the nod at right-back, while Bournemouth’s Brad Smith is the likely left-back.

A decade ago a backline of 75 per cent China-based Aussies would’ve been hard to fathom.

The recent cash injection into the Chinese Super League has lured a long list of big-name players, including Graziano Pelle, Hulk, Ramires, Gervinho, Demba Ba, Asamoah Gyan and Ezequiel Lavezzi.

In turn, there’s been a trend of Chinese clubs signing big Australian defenders, with the situation providing a quality arena to learn against the best for the likes of Sainsbury, Spiranovic and McGowan.

Throw in the fact the trio are midway through their season and Sainsbury’s argument makes perfect sense.

“From a footballer’s perspective, it’s really good as a defender,” Sainsbury said.

“I’m playing against some of the best strikers around and they’re on massive money so they have to prove themselves. It’s good for me defensively.”

He added: “It’s always interesting coming into camp and you see all the boys in Europe and where they’re at and the boys in China and where they’re at.

“Spira and I are going to be fit, because we’re mid-season. The other boys are coming into pre-season now, so we’ll see where they’re at body-wise.”

Sainsbury, 24, admitted international football would be a step-up in intensity and pace from China, but that was to be expected.

He conceded one of the drawbacks of playing in China was the style of football, particularly having moved to Jiangsu from ball-playing Dutch club PEC Zwolle.

“On the ball, Holland did a lot for me,” he said.

“I wouldn’t say China is going to improve me in any way, but I’m over there doing my job and what I’m paid to do.”

Sainsbury’s Chinese switch has helped with his fitness, shaking off knee, groin and hamstring issues which plagued his time at Zwolle.

“I’ve got a good team in China that’s looking after me now,” Sainsbury said.

“It’s still a few games a week, but at the same time it’s not the highest intensity, it’s not the same as it was in Europe.

“At my old club I was playing on astro turf so I can imagine that didn’t help.

“Going across to China, it’s a longer pre-season to get my body right. It all worked out in my favour.”

He’s also worked hard with the Socceroos medical staff to become more durable.

“The boys here are always communicating with me, so I’ve worked hard on stabilising my whole trunk area and having more of a man’s body,” he said.

“I was quite a way behind the rest of the boys in the team. I’ve worked hard to get to 100 per cent fitness and to stay there.”