McKay back to bolster World Cup bid

Matt McKay has put his recent injury woe behind him and arrived in Lebanon eager to re-stake his claim for a Qantas Socceroos starting berth.

Matt McKay has put his recent injury woe behind him and arrived in Lebanon eager to re-stake his claim for a Qantas Socceroos starting berth.

McKay, 29, has quietly compiled 26 caps in green and gold since catching the eye of coach Holger Osieck on the eve of the 2011 AFC Asian Cup in Qatar.

A notable absentee from Australia-s last outing against Scotland in Edinburgh, McKay-s presence in Beirut is a welcome one as the Qantas Socceroos prepare to recommence their FIFA World Cup qualification quest.

“I missed the Scotland game so it-ll be good to get back amongst the group,” McKay said.

“It-s important leading into the Jordan game that we get our combinations right and we get the confidence back before that game.”

After sitting out last month-s 3-1 loss in Edinburgh, McKay has since returned to action, and to form, with Korean club side Busan I-Park.

The Korean top-flight split into two halves at the weekend - the top eight teams after thirty rounds now play each other home and away for the K-League Championship and AFC Champions League qualification spots, while the bottom eight will battle to avoid relegation.

Busan will feature in the top eight and will recommence their charge for domestic honours in mid-September with a home clash against Jeonbuk Motors - the home of former Central Coast Mariners ‘skipper Alex Wilkinson.

McKay netted his breakthrough K-League strike three weeks ago - a stoppage time winner away to Gangwon that the 29-year-old hopes will be the catalyst for a strong finish to his first full campaign abroad.

“(I-m feeling) really good, it took a while to get over the injury I picked up in the Japan game, but I-m back now,” said McKay.

“I-ve had a good run of games at Busan and we-ve been winning some games so I-m feeling confident coming into these two fixtures.”

The Qantas Socceroos face Lebanon in an international friendly at Saida Municipal Stadium, Saida, at 8.30pm local time (3.30am AEST, Friday, 7 September).

Following that, the Qantas Socceroos resume their FIFA World Cup qualification campaign against Jordan in Amman, at 7pm on Tuesday, 11 September (2am AEST, Wednesday, 12 September).

The Qantas Socceroos return to Australia in 2013, for the FIFA World Cup qualifier against Oman at Sydney-s Stadium Australia at 7.30pm, Tuesday, 26 March, followed by Iraq, at 7.30pm on Tuesday, 18 June.

Tickets for both matches at Stadium Australia are on sale now through Ticketek or via phone, 132 849.