Holland knocking on the door of Socceroos selection

The international retirement of midfielder Mark Milligan has given forgotten man James Holland a window of opportunity to play again for Australia after five years.

James Holland of Lask (R) celebrates with his teammate Klauss of LASK Linz Source: Getty Images

Holland is having great success in Europe with LASK Linz and in midweek he played a key role in their thumping 3-0 win over Sporting Club that gave the Austrian underdogs a ticket to the last 32 of the UEFA Europa League.

Holland, who has played every minute of LASK's eye-opening campaign, last played for the Socceroos in 2014 and has yet to be picked by coach Graham Arnold, who took over the job after last year's FIFA World Cup in Russia.

However Holland knows well enough that the only way to get back in the national set-up is to keep knocking on the door by working hard and playing regularly.

"I don't feel forgotten," Holland said after training in Linz as the team prepares for its league game at home to Sturm Graz on Monday (AEDT).

"I am positive that the coaching staff of the national team are aware of all Australian players that are playing in Europe. It's just about working hard and seeing if the chance comes again.

"Obviously Arnie has his plan as to what he believes is best for the team and whether or not I am in his plans only time will tell.

"I'll just keep doing all I can and seeing what comes of it.

"A part of (being) a professional footballer is dealing with situations like this. I'm in a good place mentally and really enjoying my football here in Linz.

"Our character is what helps us underdogs exceed expectations. Our style is to constantly put the opposition under pressure with a high press and a high tempo and teams are generally surprised by this.

"Obviously, I would love to be involved with the Socceroos again but that's a decision for the coaches."

Holland was an unused member of Ange Postecoglou's squad that went to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and the last time he donned the green and gold jersey was in a friendly against the United Arab Emirates later that year.

Ironically, he came on as a substitute for Milligan in a goalless draw in Abu Dhabi.

He is still a defensive midfielder, a role he has played for most of his career, but he is now a far more experienced and dependable player with an ability to keep things ticking along with a minimum of fuss, as he showed in LASK's demolition of the Portuguese giants and a 4-1 rout of PSV Eindhoven in an earlier group game.

"I am still a holding midfielder ... we play with three at the back and four in the middle. Since we press very high up the pitch I'm winning the ball in attacking areas at times so I've had to adjust some areas of my game.

"Austria has been great to me. I've been lucky enough to play for some great teams like Austria Wien and Linz. My journey brought me here for whatever reason and I'm grateful for the experiences that I've been fortunate enough to gain."

Holland played in the 2013-2014 Champions League for Austria against the likes of Atletico Madrid, Zenit Saint Petersburg and Porto when the Viennese team missed qualification to the knockout phase by one point.

LASK are second behind Salzburg in the race for the Bundesliga title and will know on Tuesday their next opponents in the Europa League.

As group winners, LASK are seeded and will play an unseeded team with the return leg at home.

Any preferences?

"Not really. We'll just take it as it comes. It's the Europa league so every team has quality and every game will be a highlight. So let's see what comes our way," he said.

Follow @MicallefPhilip