After their stellar performance at the World Cup in Qatar, there is no reason for the Socceroos to be overawed by a first-ever appearance at Wembley Stadium, defensive linchpin Harry Souttar insists.
Australia play world No.4 England at Wembley on October 14 before facing New Zealand at Brentford four days later, as preparations step up ahead of November's World Cup qualifiers and January's Asian Cup.
Souttar, one of the standouts of the Socceroos' run to the last-16 at the World Cup, is excited to step out at the 'home of football' but said Australia should be confident of their place in the world game.
"I've only really been (to Wembley) before on a tour with my granny, when I was way younger," said the 24-year-old defender, who made his first league appearance of the season in club side Leicester's 2-0 win over Stoke on Sunday.
"But watching on TV, FA Cup finals, play-off games - it's going to be a special night for all of us.
"(But) as good as England are, and the iconic venue, ultimately it's a game of football.
"With the experiences we've had with the World Cup (and) playing massive teams all over the world ... it's one that we go into with excitement, knowing that we can play on the biggest stage against the best players."
After the team's heroics in Qatar, coach Graham Arnold is rebuilding his squad as the new World Cup-qualifying cycle gets under way.
Riley McGree was on Tuesday ruled out of the matches in England, with his club side Middlesbrough confirming the midfielder suffered a foot injury prior to their recent Championship clash with Sunderland.
Arnold has named Belgium-based Aiden O'Neill to replace McGree.
The addition of O'Neill means 12 of Arnold's 23-player squad have won fewer than 10 caps, with Souttar underlining the importance of regeneration on and off the field.
"Three-and-a-half, four years is such a long time, there's going to be new faces at (the next) World Cup," Souttar said.
"It's really important to bring (new players) in to be around the squad and experienced players like Jacko (Jackson Irvine) and Maty (Ryan). To learn the culture of the team.
"On the pitch as well, to see how the lads train and what they do, the preparation that goes on.
"It certainly worked for me - I've learned a lot off Maty Ryan and how he looks after his body, the pre-hab stuff he does before the gym. He's probably the hardest worker of us all."
With Australia's players beginning to arrive at the UK camp, Souttar was looking forward to taking on Gareth Southgate's side in their own back yard.
"It's great for us to be playing a team of that calibre," Souttar added.
"But we believe fully in what we can do as a team, and as individuals as well."
