Graham Arnold says Daniel Arzani's only hope of winning a Socceroos recall rests on the returning A-League Men midfielder beginning life at Macarthur FC in a career-best run of form.
Arzani was one of the highlights of Australia's 2018 World Cup campaign but hasn't played regular first-team football since December after bouncing around clubs in Europe.
In 2021, the 23-year-old was dropped by Arnold.
Earlier this year he signed with Macarthur ahead of the domestic season in the hope it could rekindle a stagnant career before this year's World Cup in Qatar.
Arnold's side face New Zealand in two friendlies in September before he finalises the Socceroos squad on October 20.
That leaves Arzani with three games in the A-League Men - which begins on October 7 - to force Arnold into a rethink.
"It'll be tough for him to get in those friendly games against New Zealand," Arnold told AAP.
"(With Macarthur) he's got to hit the ground running.
"When the A-League starts he has to be in the best form of his life.
"Those A-League players have got three games before I have to announce my squad.
"I don't pick players on reputation."
Arnold said the same applied to Brandon Borrello, Ryan Williams and Mustafa Amini who have all returned from Europe in the past 12 months.
The Socceroos boss hopes to use the two friendlies against New Zealand - in Brisbane on September 22 and Auckland three days later - as a shootout between the best overseas and domestic players.
"I'm going to pick probably 30 to 33 players for the two games," he said.
"It gives more players an opportunity to get into the squad.
"Because, at the end of the day, I won't have seen the A-League players.
"I'm picking on reputation and not on form - and I also get to see some of the younger players doing so well in Europe."
One player who won't be involved in next month's games against the All Whites will be centre back Harry Souttar.
Arnold remained upbeat that the defender, who has yet to return from his ACL injury with English Championship side Stoke, would be ready for the tournament in Qatar.
"I spoke to Harry and he's coming along," he said.
"He's pretty much nearly back to full training, he's running and kicking. I don't want him to come for New Zealand, I want him to get as fit as he can. We know what Harry can do."
