DeVere ready to grab opportunity

The defender, who has been excelling for mid-table K-League outfit Gyeongnam in recent weeks, last featured in a Socceroos squad for last September's dual 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Thailand and Saudi Arabia.

And though hampered by niggling knee injuries since, he has emerged as a powerhouse at the centre of the Gyeongnam defence this season and, with the likes of fellow young gun Mathew Spiranovic failing to push his claims with real conviction, is emerging as genuine competition for veteran incumbents Lucas Neill (34) and Sasa Ognenovski (33) en route to the World Cup in Brazil.

DeVere, 22, is in his second season in the K-League where he has benefited from the on-going advice of the now Qatar-based Ognenovski, whose compelling performances for Seongham earned him Socceroos recognition.

Now DeVere, who has yet to play for his country despite being in several camps and squads, is aiming to follow suit.

“I think it's a case of doing well for your club and trying to get the attention of the coach," he told The World Game.

"If you want to be involved with the national team I think you need to be playing regularly and I'd like to think that I am ready to step up to then plate if, and when, I am chosen.

"Obviously Lucas and Sasa have done extremely well in the past and they continue to do so, so I have to just keep working on my own game and if the opportunity comes be ready to take it."

The ball-playing former Brisbane Roar stopper, renowned for playing out from the back and making surging incursions into enemy territory, appears set to emerge near the top of a cluster of would-be challengers to the Neill-Ognenovski axis.

The list includes the aforementioned Spiranovic, J.League based Jade North, Millwall's Shane Lowry, a fit-again Leeds United hardman Patrick Kisnorbo, Chunnum Dragons' Robbie Cornthwaite and possibly even Chinese Super League export Daniel Mullen. Middlesbrough's Rhys Williams, currently earmarked as a right-back by Osieck, is also capable of playing centre-back along with Heart of Midlothian's Ryan McGowan.

"There were a lot factors in me coming to Korea in the first place and one of the biggest ones was that I thought it would possibly prepare me better to represent my country should the chance arise than remaining in the A-League would," added DeVere.

"But I know I can always do better and I am one of my harshest critics. I feel I am doing some good things but I don't want to sit there and say I am setting the world alight.

"As a team, we are moving up the ladder and this is really pleasing. I have learned a lot up here playing in different systems and in different roles and it's added to my overall game."

Commenting on the recent influx of Australians to Asia, with the K-League no exception, DeVere added: "It's good to see that happening. Sasa was the first to come here and make a real name for himself and he really opened the doors to people like myself and others.

"He was always really approachable and willing to pass on what he could. I can't speak highly enough of the guy.

"I am always getting asked here about Australian defenders and those are the positions where they seem to want us most, so I can see that trend continuing because they know we can do a job."

DeVere is keen to play down what some had suggested was a chronic knee condition.

"I was troubled by the knee earlier in the season but I have strung together a run of games now and have really bounced back now and got a bit of consistency going," he said.

"I'm feeling pretty good at the moment and hopefully that is all behind me now."

DeVere has a further season remaining on his K-League contract after this one and is not certain where his path will lead after that.

"In football you never really know what can happen," he added. "I just want to keep playing well and see where it takes me."