Discarded Jones eyeing Socceroos comeback under new coach

Forgotten Socceroo Brad Jones wants to make a national team comeback, as he continues to impress in his third season in the Netherlands.

Brad Jones

Brad Jones in action for Feyenoord Source: Getty Images

Mysteriously overlooked for almost the entirety of Ange Postecoglou's four-year reign, the 35-year-old Feyenoord No.1 has the 2018 FIFA World Cup in his sights.

Jones, who helped Feyenoord to their first title in 18 years with 17 clean sheets last season, wants it known that despite past reports to the contrary, there are no conditions to him being available for the green and gold.

Last May, in the build up to the FIFA Confederations Cup, reports surfaced that the former Middlesbrough, Liverpool, Bradford City and NEC Nijmegen shot-stopper would only accept a recall if he was guaranteed game time.

His camp vehemently rejected those assertions at the time - and nothing has changed, according to his England-based agent Gary Williams.
"Brad is available for selection, there's never been any doubt about that," said Williams.

"There was all this rubbish in the media about him not wanting to join squads unless he was guaranteed game time - but nobody actually spoke to him.

"Brad has never put any stipulations on appearing for Australia.

"He just wants to play for his country again. He's absolutely available for selection, if needed.

"He's won goalkeeper of the year twice in Holland, and is having another good season (Feyenoord are fifth on the ladder going into the winter break)."

The last of Jones's four Australia appearances was a 30-minute cameo against Ecuador in 2014.
But with long-time second choice Mitch Langerak struggling for game time at Levante in Spain, competition for number one Mat Ryan has lost some intensity.

That said, Danny Vukovic's place in the pecking order will have jumped with his 19 appearances and five clean sheets with new Belgian club Genk.

A recall for Jones, who turns 36 in March, would spice things up with a new Socceroos coach to be announced in February and a mooted friendly against Colombia in March heading into Russia 2018.

While it seemed Jones would remain on the outer under Postecoglou, despite claims from the Socceroos inner sanctum that he had been sounded out over his availability, the imminent coronation of a new coach wipes the slate clean.

Jones has started every one of Feyenoord's 17 league games this season, conceding 16 goals, keeping seven clean sheets and making 31 saves.

He has also made five UEFA Champions League appearances.


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3 min read
Published 29 December 2017 10:53am
By Dave Lewis

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