The Cairns-born fullback was omitted from the Socceroos squad to face Ireland amid speculation he is on his way to Australia to join Fury on a free transfer from his Norwegian club, Lyn Oslo.

He admitted 18 months ago that he was tempted by a return to the A-League and said he would have accepted a move to Sydney FC if he hadn't just signed a three year deal with Lyn Oslo.

"But it might be a good fit for me in the future," he said at the time.

Meanwhile former Leicester City glovesman Paul Henderson has signed with Fury just days before the club's debut against Sydney FC this Saturday.

Fury coach Ian Ferguson has decided to start 33-year-old Henderson in season opener, but insisted it wasn't an easy decision given the form of his other keeper Justin Pasfield during the pre-season.

"Paul's experienced. I was happy with where he's played in the past and the pre-season games he played," Ferguson said. "He's a leader, a good shot stopper, he commands his box and he talks well from the back."

"I had a word with Justin (Pasfield) - he's not far behind. He's done a fantastic job he's come in and played in the pre-season games and he's actually better equipped than I thought he was.

"He will get his opportunity and it's up to him to take that when it comes. most of it. I told the two goalkeepers that - whoever's doing the best in the goalkeeping stakes, they'll be the one holding the number one jersey."

After a two month trial period, Henderson said the decision to join the new club was easy in the end, but he had to be sure it was the right move for his young family, which recently grew by one with the birth of a daughter.

"I was looking forward to coming back from playing overseas and I'm a big family man so being only three hour flight from Sydney is a big help," he said.

"I was down there for the birth (of his second daughter) - the Gaffer gave me the weekend off - they're still down there but it hasn't been too bad and they'll be up here soon enough."

Henderson is looking forward to making his way to the goal box on Saturday evening and is glad he's shown enough to beat Pasfield to a starting spot.

"It's very difficult, because only one goal keeper can play at once and Justin's a very good goalkeeper. Fortunately it went my way this time," Henderson said.

"I just have to do my job because Justin is a good keeper and he'll be pushing me all the way.