Today, national coach Pim Verbeek announced the squad for the Asian Cup qualifier in Kuwait City  with no Mark Schwarzer or other European-based keepers named.

And with an A-League contingent that includes keepers Eugene Galekovic of Adelaide United and Perth Glory's Tando Velaphi, there appears no obvious number one.

Vukovic is relishing a realistic chance of nabbing a starting XI position. A good performance if selected could stake his claims for the third spot in the World Cup squad behind Schwarzer and Adam Federici, Michael Petkovic or Ante Covic.

"I'm starting to get back up there [into Socceroo contention]. This game realistically is my best chance ever playing for the Socceroos," he told au.fourfourtwo.com.

"In previous camps I've sat on the bench or just missed out - I probably wasn't ready to play but I really believe now that I'm ready to play."

Vukovic has been on the fringes of selection in the national team over the last four years but famously lost his place in the Olyroos of 2008 after a grand final indiscretion six months earlier that saw him red-carded and banned from international football.

Despite playing for a club side that's lost its last three on the spin, the Central Coast Mariners glovesman is just glad of the opportunity to show what he can do.

He added: "There have been a few games where we have conceded a few goals but that happens in football but as Pim said to me before, we're on a level playing field, myself Eugene and Tando.

"It's up to us to go over there and show who's capable of doing the best job."