The Socceroos, ranked 60 in the world, need to beat Kyrgyzstan on Thursday to entertain any hope of winning their penultimate qualifying group for a spot in the finals in Russia.
After helping his club Jeonbuk Motors win the Korea Republic championship, Wilkinson has set his eyes on a starting spot in Ange Postecoglou's team.
Wilkinson's cause has been boosted by the injury suffered by fellow defender Matthew Spiranovic, who plays for Hangzhou in China.
Spiranovic has been ruled out of Australia's matches against Kyrgyzstan and Bangladesh in Dhaka five days later and will not be replaced.
Spiranovic's withdrawal gives Wilkinson an excellent opportunity to win his 16th cap.
"It's disappointing for Spira and the team because he is a great player but as you said it gives an opportunity to myself and the other centre-backs to get a run and hopefully perform well," he said.
"Another start for Australia would be great. Obviously, I'm happy to be called into the Socceroos squad again and I really look forward to getting into camp with all the boys.
"We have two very important games over the next 10 days and I would love to play a part so I will be doing all I can to get picked."
Wilkinson's Jeonbuk snared their second straight K League Classic title with an away 1-0 win at Jeju United.
"It was great to win another championship with Jeonbuk," Wilkinson said.
"Going back to back is always a very difficult thing to do so that makes it even a bit more special.
"We have led the league for the whole season so it's nice to wrap it up with two games to spare. It's been a very good season for us."
Experienced Wilkinson is fully aware of the perceived weakness the Australian team has developed in recent qualifying games.
The Socceroos have become vulnerable to the counter-attack, a weakness that was not exploited by the qualifying group's lesser teams but not so by stronger Jordan who picked out the Australians almost at will and won 2-0 in Amman.
"Against these teams the counter-attack is always dangerous," Wilkinson said.
"We tend to have a lot of possession and opponents wait for a missed pass or mistake and they break quickly.
"I think it's just a matter of finding the right balance in our play. We need to be careful not to commit too many numbers forward and communication is vital.
"Defensive organisation when we have the ball is just as important as when we don't have it.
"I don't think it's a matter of being too attack-minded. As I said, it's just about finding the right balance.
"We are a team that likes to play a pro-active type of game which involves keeping possession and pressing the opposition high up the park when we lose the ball.
"Remember, we are still developing and improving as a team. We are well aware that the teams in our group are very dangerous on the counter-attack when given time and space.
"That's why organisation and communication are so important when we have the ball.
"Obviously the result in Jordan was a bump in the road and it's great that three out of our next four games are at home.
"The boys will be keen to get out on the pitch on Thursday night, perform well and put the last result behind us."
Wilkinson's contract expires at the end of the Korean season and he reiterated his intention to leave the club, but he is keen on staying overseason for hte time being.
"I won't be staying here at Jeonbuk. It's time for a change," he said.
"That doesn't mean I will be coming home either. I'm keeping all options open at the moment and things should start working themselves out over the next few months."
