Brandon Borrello deserves to be in the World Cup conversation after a strong start to his first season in red and black, Western Sydney Wanderers coach Marko Rudan says.
After five years playing in Germany, Borrello returned to the A-League Men this season and has been growing in influence for the Wanderers.
The Adelaide-born winger was involved in everything as Western Sydney recorded a 2-0 win over the Newcastle Jets that Rudan rated as their best performance of the season.
Borrello narrowly missed out on a goal in the first half - hitting the post - but registered his first A-League strike since 2017 early in the second.
The 27-year-old has represented the Socceroos four times, including on the road to the World Cup in Qatar, and is jostling with players including Craig Goodwin, Garang Kuol and Marco Tilio for selection in the 26-man squad to be announced next week.
Rudan believes Borrello is doing all he can to put a case forward for a recall to the national side.
"I think so, if you base it on form and fitness," he said.
"One of the things (Borrello) has mentioned is that he wants to get back into Socceroos selection.
"It's just about how do we as coaches service him and his requirements in order to get him where he wants to be."
In a squad comprising many new faces, Borrello has stood out.
"From day one, it was glaringly obvious the kind of energy that he brings," Rudan said.
"His directness - he wants to go at players, which is exactly what I want from my wide players."
The Wanderers are preparing to come up against two other World Cup hopefuls in Jason Cummings and Kuol when they host the Central Coast Mariners on Saturday night.
Cummings was crucial to the Mariners' last-start win, scoring one goal and setting up the other three in a 4-2 comeback win over reigning champions Western United.
But defender Adama Traore said the Wanderers needed to look at the bigger picture, rather than focus on the in-form forward.
"As a defender you respect every striker and try to make sure you prepare well for the game," he told AAP.
"They have a great team. It would be very silly to concentrate on one player. We'll make sure we're ready for the starting 11."
