The Newcastle striker is under pressure from new boss Sam Allardyce to sit out Australia’s upcoming friendlies against Argentina and China.

And Viduka - 32 in October - has already warned it could take a star signing for the new Socceroos coach's position to persuade him to continue playing for Australia.

But now he has admitted that even a top-drawer replacement for Graham Arnold might not be enough to keep him in the green and gold.

"I am still deciding what I am going to do," he said. "I do love playing for my country, but it is taking its toll, both physically and mentally."

He will almost certainly miss the Australia friendlies as he tries to cement his place in the Newcastle squad.

"I'm new here," he told Newcastle’s Evening Chronicle. "I might stick around and get used to the place and the rest of the players."

Viduka is facing intense pressure from Allardyce and Newcastle’s Toon Army fans to recapture the scoring streak he found last season with Middlesbrough.

Despite a wealth of striker talent at the club, Newcastle haven’t scored a goal at home since February.

Now Allardyce has told his Aussie striker to toughen up and play hardball with rival teams.

He spoke out after Viduka had an appeal for a penalty turned down in United’s goalless draw with Aston Villa.

"Mark Viduka was very, very honest,” said Allardyce. “When we talk about referees looking for simulation, Mark Viduka got the reverse of that because he wouldn't go and buy a free-kick.

"He got no protection from Howard Webb, who waved play on. That allowed their centre-halves to hit him harder and harder every time he tried to control the ball.

"From that point of view he had a very difficult game.”

He added: "The referee didn't spot what the centre-halves were doing to him because he stayed on his feet.

"In the end, he was his own worst enemy. Perhaps Howard should have another look at it and learn from that.

"We don't want players to dive - that's what everybody's saying - but if you don't give them the free kicks when they stay on their feet, then you're going to have to ask them to go down more."