Ange Postecoglou keeps tabs on Socceroos not getting game time

Ange Postecoglou says he is willing to help his players find regular game time at new clubs if necessary.

Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou and Germany coach Joachim Loew at the draw for the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup.

soccer: With key international players facing make-or-break decisions over their futures at club level, Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou says he’s ready to help them find new homes.

But the national team boss isn’t as worried as some by senior Australians missing out on playing time for their clubs.

Two starters in Australia’s underwhelming 2-2 draw with Thailand appear persona non grata when it comes to selection at their top-tier clubs.

Mat Ryan and Robbie Kruse are playing in two of Europe’s biggest leagues but can’t currently get a look in on match days.

Left-back Brad Smith fin­ally made his debut for Bournemouth in the English Premier League yesterday in his side’s 3-1 loss to Arsenal. Defender Matt Spiranovic needs a new club or he will be playing in the Chinese second division next year, while midfielder Mark Milligan’s struggling Abu Dhabi-based side looks set for major upheaval.

Speaking from Kazan after the draw for the Confederations Cup pitted Australia against powerhouses Germany and Chile next June, Postecoglou said there was plenty of water to flow under the bridge until players were next in action for Australia.

“Football changes pretty quickly,” Postecoglou said.

“We’re still in November. Our next game is in March. There’s a lot of things that can change between now and then.”

While Postecoglou professed to be relaxed about the prospect of his charges, there’s no doubting 2017 is a huge year for the national team. The Socceroos play their decisive five World Cup qualifying games, beginning with a trip to the Middle East to face Iraq and a home tie with United Arab Emirates in March.

Another home qualifier in June against Saudi Arabia precedes their Confederations Cup campaign in Russia.

Then come the final two qualifiers; a trip to Japan followed by a home clash with Thailand.

It’s a footballing feast and Postecoglou wants everyone fit and ready.

“The players all understand we prefer them and want them to be playing regular football and that’s what they want to do as well,” he said.

“We’ll monitor that closely and if we can help in any way we can we will. Ultimately it’s in the players’ own hands to make decisions that are going to be best for their ­careers.

“Hopefully from our perspective hopefully all the boys come into the March games knowing we’ve got a big 12 months ahead of us, and are playing regularly.”

AAP