Asian Cup 2015: Mathew Leckie confident versatility, club form helps his Socceroos cause

MATHEW Leckie says his roaming role in attack for German side Ingolstadt has him perfectly placed to be an asset for Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou.

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 08: Mathew Leckie of Australia battles with Saud Kariri of Saudi Arabia during the International Friendly match between Saudi Arabia and Australia at Craven Cottage on September 8, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Jamie McDonald/Getty Images)

MATHEW Leckie says his roaming role in attack for German side Ingolstadt has him perfectly placed to be an asset for Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou throughout the Asian Cup.

And while competition for spots in Australia's attacking third is heating up, Leckie insists he is doing "all the right things" to earn a start against Kuwait next Friday night.

"I'm not going to sit here and say I'm going to play and that's it," Leckie said.

"But I'm working hard and playing every week and I think my results have been pretty good.

"I'm giving myself all the opportunity that I can to play.

"At the end of the day it's Ange's decision and whatever decision he makes I'm going to respect, but I definitely do think I'll take part in this Asian Cup at some point, whether it's starting or coming off the bench to make an impact."

Leckie was Australia's breakout performer at the World Cup, playing all three games in Brazil.

His sparkling form has continued at Ingolstadt, the club he switched to from FSV Frankfurt during the off-season, where he has scored four goals in 19 games.

His spot in the Socceroos line-up, however, remains far from secure.

Robbie Kruse is back after missing the World Cup with a knee injury, while Tommy Oar continues to play well in Holland and Nathan Burns is taking all before him in the A-League.

Tim Cahill appears a certainty to start up front, while the fate of attacking midfielders Mark Bresciano and James Troisi could also impact on Leckie's fate.

But Leckie thinks his form for Ingolstadt augurs well for him, so too his versatility, which Postecoglou likes in his players.

"With the wingers, I think Ange is fine if we're swapping every now and then," he said.

Mathew Leckie could be one of Ange Postecoglou’s secret Asian Cup weapons.

"(At Ingolstadt) I start on the left side, but it's a pretty free role us three upfront, we're all pretty dynamic and fast so the coach doesn't really restrict us to one position.

"We're playing well, a very attacking game which suits me. It's given me a lot of confidence coming in to this tournament. I'm playing every game, 90 minutes, and so I'm very fit, I feel good.

"It's good that where I play we play the same sort of football that we want to (play for the Socceroos).

"It works well because I come from there to here and there's not much change. It's not something I have to adapt to, I'm already there."

Originally published as Asian Cup 2015: Mathew Leckie confident versatility, club form helps his Socceroos cause