Brisbane Roar striker Jamie Maclaren admits his shock Socceroos call-up for next month's World Cup qualifier in Thailand took him by surprise.
Scoreless through the first three rounds of the A-League, Maclaren wasn't in coach Ange Postecoglou's initial 30-man squad unveiled last week.
Like most others, the 23-year-old - who made his international debut against England in a friendly earlier this year - took that to mean he wasn't on Postecoglou's radar.
But after opening his season account against Perth Glory at the weekend, Maclaren was rushed into Wednesday's final 23-man squad as a replacement for veteran Tim Cahill, who is being rested.
It means he'll miss Brisbane's away trip to Adelaide United next week but, instead, he gets a priceless opportunity to leave an impression on Postecoglou in a week-long training camp before the November 15 qualifier in Bangkok.
"I'm not going to lie - once you see the 30 you think, OK, my chances are probably for next March when the other games are," Maclaren told reporters on Thursday.
"I just put my head down and focused on Brisbane but it's come out the blue and it's something I'm really honoured to be a part of.
"I'm proud I can represent the country again and if I can build on that first cap I got, it'll be amazing."
Incidentally, Maclaren's Roar and Cahill's Melbourne City meet on Friday night in something of a master-versus-apprentice battle.
Cahill missed City's win over Adelaide United last weekend but will figure in some capacity at Suncorp Stadium, where a crowd of more than 20,000 is expected.
"I'm kind of starting my journey. I look up to a guy like him because he scored goals when Australia's needed him the most and hopefully, some day I'll get my first goal for the Socceroos," Maclaren said.
"I've just got to keep doing my thing and if I can maybe net a goal on Friday night and go into the Socceroos camp with confidence."
Brisbane coach John Aloisi also didn't know Maclaren was in immediate Socceroos contention.
"I knew Ange had been thinking about Macca because I'd spoken to Ange about a few of our players, and then I got a call Monday morning," he said.
"Usually when Ange calls (before he) announces the squad it's a surprise selection.
"He told me about Macca, the reasoning behind it and I'm excited for Macca. It's great for Brisbane Roar."
