In-form Ben Garuccio pushing for a place in Socceroos squad for next month’s FIFA World Cup qualifiers

One of the A-League’s in-form left-backs isn’t ready to give up on his dream being selected for the Socceroos.

Western United captain Ben Garuccio’s desire to play the Socceroos remains as strong as ever as a left-back vacancy looms in Australia’s squad for next month’s FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Indonesia and China.

After an injury-disrupted start to the A-League season, Garuccio has hit his straps as part of a United team that hopes to close the gap on second-placed Adelaide United with a win over the Reds at Ironbark Fields on Sunday.

“It was super frustrating,” United’s 29-year-old skipper said of his time out during the first half of the season with groin and calf injuries.

“Now for me to be back, it has made my life a lot easier because I came into a team that was doing really well. It was a seamless re-entry.

“The football we’re playing has been super enjoyable, so it’s unreal to be back.”

Garuccio’s form has had him mentioned as a possible inclusion in the upcoming Socceroos squad.

And with former Melbourne City prodigy Jordan Bos sidelined after injuring his hamstring playing for his Belgian club Westerlo, the Socceroos need more options on the left side of their defence.

Western United skipper Ben Garuccio is keen to continue his good form against his hometown club Adelaide United on Sunday. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

“There have been periods in my career where I’ve been a chance (to make the national team), but I haven’t been included, so I’m never going to say that I’m a chance, but I just need to make sure that my performances are at a very high level, and that’s what I try to do every single week,” said Garuccio, a former Australian under-20 and under-23 representative.

“If those performances land me in the national team, then I’d be absolutely buzzing, because that’s been the thing that I’ve missed in my career, that Socceroos cap, something that for me has been a burning desire for a long time.

“It would an absolute honour, a highlight of my career, if I was included.”

Another strong performance against his former club Adelaide this weekend will keep Garuccio's name in the mind of Socceroos coach Tony Popovic.

“Both Adelaide and us are doing quite well, so it adds that extra bit of spice,” he said.

“They’re a really good team, and they’ve showed that this season.

“They’ve got young players as they always do, but also players that have gone there this season and are doing well, players like Archie Goodwin and Dylan Pierias.

“They are definitely dangerous but we are also dangerous.”

Garuccio’s direct battle with his former teammate Pierias, who has starred as a right wing-back for the Reds this season, looms as a highlight of the contest.

“He’ll be running at me, so I’ve got to be smart with my positioning, and probably the transition moments are going to be the most important, and picking the right time for me to get forward,” Garuccio said.

Originally published as In-form Ben Garuccio pushing for a place in Socceroos squad for next month’s FIFA World Cup qualifiers