Herd pledges allegiance to Socceroos

The 23-year-old Aston Villa midfielder missed out on a call-up for the 2014 World Cup qualifier against Jordan on 12 September and the preceding friendly against Lebanon but denied rumours he'd be open to playing for Scotland.

"There's no question that I want to represent my country and I'll be as proud as anyone could possibly be whenever I do that," said Herd, who has represented Australia at Under-20 level.

"Unfortunately, I've suffered injuries at really bad times which prevented me from playing in World Cup qualifiers last season and in a friendly in Denmark at the end of the season," he added in a statement.

Socceroos coach Holger Osieck said he doesn't see Herd as an asset at this stage.

"I wanted to open the door for him, and then he had to decline invitations three times and so I never really got a chance to see him again," Osieck told the Sydney Morning Herald.

"My judgment is based on what he has shown recently, and I think at present I don't see him in a position to help our team."

Osieck first called up Herd for the World Cup qualifiers against Oman and Thailand in November, but he withdrew from the squad due to an ankle ligament injury, and again in June for Australia's friendly against Denmark after rolling the same ankle in the final match against Norwich in May.

Herd then withdrew from the Socceroos squad for the friendly against Scotland earlier in August due to a thigh strain, which saw him off the field after 27 minutes.

He didn't play in Villa's final pre-season games against Nottingham Forest and Werder Bremen.

Herd has never been capped for the Socceroos, and it has been rumoured that he could play for Scotland, a claim which he rejects.

"Obviously, I'm focussed primarily on my responsibilities as a player for Aston Villa," Herd said.

"But I'm also very determined to force myself into the Australian squad and win my first cap, which will hopefully happen in the very near future."