Brandon Borrello would rather keep talk of a Socceroos recall to a minimum as he spearheads Western Sydney’s charge towards a drought-breaking finals appearance.
Borrello, whose Wanderers host Central Coast in a battle for second spot on the A-League Men ladder on Saturday, has been in red-hot form since the World Cup break.
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The 27-year-old has registered five goals in his last seven games, but has given little consideration to the thought of being brought in to Graham Arnold’s squad for this month’s friendlies against Ecuador.
“I think things have been working well because it (a Socceroos) call-up has not been on my mind,” Borrello told AAP.
“It was hard not going to the World Cup because I’d been a part of the qualifying squad and the boys did so well.
“I’ve found my rhythm and it’s my time to take any chance I get, if it comes it comes.”
Borrello missed out on the 2018 World Cup with injury and was overlooked by Arnold for Qatar last year.
His blistering form came as a result when Wanderers boss Marko Rudan was short of attacking options.
But Rudan’s decision to take the four-cap Socceroo off the wing and deploy him up front has led to the Wanderers losing just one of their last six games.
“I was sort of the last resort at that time because of injuries,” Borrello said.
“I’ve played that role before but my size let me down.
“The way we play football, size isn’t as much as a factor (and) I’ve got the pace to go on behind and I can hold the ball up, so I think it’s gelling really well.”
Borrello’s form as the club’s leading man has the Wanderers nearing their first ALM finals berth since the 2016-17 season.
Taking three points off the Mariners would go a long way to cementing their place in the top six.
“We’re both at the top end of the table and on the same points,” Borrello added.
“Whoever takes the points is obviously going to run away from the pack a bit and have themselves in a good position come finals time.
“It’s definitely one of our most important games of the season yet, because it’s extremely tight.
“We’re fully fit, and I’m not sure the boss likes the headache because I can imagine it’s tough to pick a squad because the competition for places is crazy.
“I’m trying to hang onto that No.9 spot for as long as I can.”
