The Blayney-born Socceroo has been in sparkling form during the A-League campaign since joining the Kiwis, netting 10 goals - including two in the 'Nix's 2-0 win over Sydney FC on Sunday - and will be pushing for a starting berth when the Socceroos begin their pursuit of silverware against Kuwait in Melbourne on January 9.

It is a tremendous turnaround for the one time Adelaide United star - who last played for the national side in 2011 - and is one of seven players included in the squad who played in that year's Asian Cup, when Australia were beaten in extra time in the final by Japan. The other players who will be seeking to go one better in 2015 are Tim Cahill, Mile Jedinak, Robbie Kruse, Tommy Oar, Matt McKay and Matthew Spiranovic.

The closest thing to a "bolter" in this line up is Sydney FC midfielder Terry Antonis, but even his inclusion hardly comes as a surprise given the impact he has made in recent seasons.

Antonis was due to be part of the Socceroos squad that played Japan in a recent friendly, but was injured in a car crash en route to the airport and could not take part.

There are seven A-League players, including inexperienced striker Tomi Juric, from Western Sydney Wanderers, but there is no place for Melbourne City midfielder Aaron Mooy, who had pushed hard for inclusion with some impressive displays this season.

"It's been almost six months in the making since the FIFA World Cup," coach Ange Postecoglou said.

"We've had a series of games where there have been some pretty clear objectives, particularly in terms of broadening the pool and seeing whether we could get some better balance in the squad and more depth.

"In the end, I'm pretty pleased with the 23 we've ended up with. There's a good combination of the core of the group that went to the FIFA World Cup, there's some experience there, but also a sprinkling of guys who will enhance the squad we took to the FIFA World Cup."

Socceroos squad: Terry Antonis, Aziz Behich, Mark Bresciano, Nathan Burns, Tim Cahill, Jason Davidson, Ivan Franjic, Eugene Galekovic (GK), Chris Herd, Mile Jedinak, Tomi Juric, Robbie Kruse, Mitchell Langerak (GK), Mathew Leckie, Massimo Luongo, Matt McKay, Mark Milligan, Tommy Oar, Mat Ryan (GK), Trent Sainsbury, Matthew Spiranovic, James Troisi, Alex Wilkinson