The Mark Vidukas and Harry Kewells might not be heading the queue at the check-in desk but who could be thinking this might be a good time to head back to Oz? Here are some of the contenders.

TRENT McCLENAHAN – If he wants to make the transition from Olyroo to Socceroo then he could do worse than head home for the A-League and there are strong whispers that’s exactly what he intends to do. Newcastle Jets say he won’t be heading to them. Maybe one for Kossie next year?

AARON DOWNES – One of those to miss out on Graham Arnold’s Olympic squad after featuring in the qualification campaign. Hard to see how playing in League Two with Chesterfield is really going to help this Mudgee-born centre-half push on. Still only 23 and might think it’s a bit early to abandon England.

SHANE HUKE – Midfielder who has been linked with Sydney FC in the not-too-distant past. Currently earning his living with English fourth-tier club Dagenham and Redbridge and you wouldn’t imagine it would take too much persuasion to swap Rochdale on a Tuesday night for the Sydney sun?

KASEY WEHRMAN – The experienced midfielder has to be one of the strongest contenders for a return. Still only 31, former Aussie international and reportedly not too happy at his Norwegian club Fredrikstad. An ex Brisbane Striker, so maybe one for Frank Farina and Miron Bleiberg to fight over. A former Glory boy as well which might leave Dave Mitchell fancying his chances.

DANNY INVINCIBILE – A real sense of inevitability about this one. Has spent the last five years with Scottish side Kilmarnock but Queensland will eventually pull this Brisbane boy home. Again, looks like Frank and Miron might be fighting hard to win the day here.

SCOTT CHIPPERFIELD – Too big a fish to be tempted home from snowy Switzerland? Not if a Wollongong bid gets the go-ahead - he'd be back in a flash to give his final playing yeras to the local game.

JACOB BURNS – Romanian-based midfielder has been on the fringe of the green and gold scene under Pim Verbeek but might benefit more from trying to convince him on the A-League stage. Played under Dave Mitchell at Parramatta Power before joining Leeds United so might be one for Members Equity Stadium?

JOEL PORTER – Hartlepool United thwarted Wellington Phoenix’s bid to lure Joel to the A-League but again, it seems only a matter of time before the striker heads Down Under. Perth Glory were also thought to be monitoring the ex Sydney Olympic and Melbourne Knights’ forward’s situation during the off season.

SHANE SHERIFF - Another Aussie wasting away at the bottom reaches of the English game but with plenty left to offer the A-League where he could shine. Family ties might keep him in the UK though.

RYAN GRIFFITHS - He's got two brothers at Newcastle Jets just waiting for him to join them. He's currently playing for Liaoning in China and hardly anyone has a clue if he's doing well or not. Play in Australia and show us...

Who's not coming back any time soon...

ADAM FEDERICI – One of the few bright spots from the miserable Olympic showing. How long can sitting on the bench at Reading be good for your career? He needs a move but it will be to a new club in Europe where he's going to be number one, not the A-League...yet.

RUBEN ZADKOVICH - The ex Sydney FC man has got a point to prove to everyone in Australia, and he won't be rushing back to the A-League from his new club Derby County. Whether or not anyone would want him back at the moment is debatable anyway.

DARIO VIDOSIC – Former Queensland Roar youngster now playing with German Second Division side Nurnberg. There's still a future for him in Europe, maybe not just at Nurnberg for much longer though.

NEIL KILKENNY - Things are still going well for him at Leeds United, traditional breeding ground for Aussies in the UK. He's still not quite a first team regular but he's getting there and the club wants him - which is more than he would have felt while at Birmingham City.

The ones who should stay...

All the teenagers still forging a career on the periphery of their first teams like Ryan McGowan and co at Hearts, Rostyn Griffiths at Blackburn Rovers, Chris Herd at Aston Villa and James Meredith at Shrewsbury. Unless of course they can sort out a loan deal with an A-League club.