Adamant he has finally shaken persistent injury issues, Middlesbrough dynamo Riley McGree is determined to show the Socceroos he’s fit and ready to shine in high-stakes World Cup qualifiers.
McGree missed the last international window through injury and was limited to just 17 English Championship games with Middlesbrough through a variety of issues, including a foot complaint.
He has been called onto Tony Popovic’s training camp in Abu Dhabi ahead of next month’s crunch clashes with Japan and Saudi Arabia, and finally feels confident in his body again.
“I've been working hard for a long time to try and try and get it right, and it's starting to come good,” McGree said.
“So hopefully I can stay on top of it and keep progressing and get to where I want to be."
McGree, who says he is happy and settled on a long-term contract at Boro, is desperate to show what he can do.
“For me, the best part about it is I can put my head to the pillow at night knowing that I'm doing everything I can to stay fit and be fit," he said.
“But definitely these next nine,10 days, personally, for me and also for everyone here, is to prove a point and to prove to myself that I'm fit, to prove to the coaching staff and my teammates that I'm fit and I'm capable of performing and hopefully contributing in the best way possible.
“I'll put my best foot forward, and wherever they see me fit, or if they don't see me fit, then that's the decision they're going to make."
The camp is a mix of experienced players and young up-and-comers raring at their first shot at the big time.
McGree, now 26, is relishing the extra competitive streak to it all.
“There's an edge kind of with everyone,” he said.
“I think we're all trying to prove that we want to play and we want to put our best foot forward and be the best version of ourselves.
“I don't think it's just up to the young players to prove themselves. I think even the senior boys, day in, day out, are trying to prove themselves.
“And nothing's guaranteed in football, your place is never guaranteed.
“That's important for all of us to have that mindset, so that we're pushing and driving each other to raise the bar and the best possible standards come game time.”
The Socceroos know they are desperately close to securing direct qualification, with two wins guaranteeing qualification for next year’s World Cup in North America.
"There is a good buzz, there’s a good belief," McGree said.
"But with that, we also know the seriousness of the situation we're in and the importance it is that we take it seriously and that we prepare to go and win both games."
