The Derby County player featured in the 1-0 friendly win over Ghana but then chose to remain with his wife as she prepared to give birth to the latest addition to the Sterjovski household, Sonny.

The family head back to England next week as Mile prepares to report back for pre-season training with Derby County but he's hoping to take in the Socceroos clash with China first.

While he would have loved to feature in recent matches, it was no contest when it came to where he should be.

He told the Illawara Mercury: "I said I'd play the Ghana game and if the baby arrived two or three days after that, I'd be available for Brisbane.

"Pim Verbeek understood the situation and as it worked out, Sonny was born eight hours after the Brisbane game.

"I was only thinking of my family, Pim put me at ease, he understood family comes first.

"It has worked out perfectly, us being in Australia in the off-season for Sonny's birth."

Sterjovski hopes to be at ANZ Stadium on Sunday for the China match, family demands permitting.

The 29-year-old said: "Playing in Sydney has been really special, because I get a lot of family and friends up to watch," he said.

"Missing that sort of game, it does hit a spot, but I'm still young and there's going to be plenty more games."