To see the Socceroos train in Sydney...

Valeri was one of the standout performers during Australia's recent World Cup campaign but has managed just 30 minutes of action this season under coach Daniele Arrigoni, who was sacked on Monday.

The 26-year-old looms as a key figure ahead of January's Asian Cup tournament, with out-of-favour veteran Vince Grella unlikely to play.

It is therefore vital for both player and country that Valeri gets regular football when he returns to Italy.

"It has been a tough start, it wasn't the start I expected coming off a positive World Cup for me personally," Valeri said.

"But I mean it's part and parcel of world football, sometimes you're not in the coach's plans and you can do everything you can to try and be in them but it just doesn't work out.

"Fortunately for me, and maybe unfortunately for some players, the coach got the sack yesterday so a new coach will be there and waiting when I get back, and let's hope things will change.

"Being overseas and not playing, it's pretty sad. I'm there to play and I want to play and in every club I've pretty much always played, so it's quite new for me this situation ... but it's a challenge that I will try and overcome."

Having been starved of football, Valeri vowed to make the most of any time new Socceroos coach Holger Osieck gives him in Saturday's international friendly against Paraguay in Sydney.

"I just want to get out and play," he said.

"I played my first game of the season on Saturday after seven games and only played 30 minutes, so I just really want to get out on the pitch and have fun and do what I love doing."

And while he is all but guaranteed a spot in the starting side to face Paraguay, Valeri is taking nothing for granted.

"I never consider myself a starter," he said.

"I'm always here, I love playing for my country and if I have to sit in the stands for my country I'll sit in the stands, if I have to sit on the bench I'll sit on the bench, and if I have to play I love playing so it's no question.

"I'm just here and I'm happy to be part of the team.

He added of his World Cup experience: "It was a dream come true for me, an unbelievable experience.

"Just to train alongside some of these guys that have done so much in their career and then be at a World Cup was just amazing for me.

"I took a lot of confidence and a lot of experience and showed that hard work does pay off. I knew I wasn't expected to play and in the end I played three games ... which for me is unbelievable."

To see the Socceroos train in Sydney...