JAMES Meredith insists he had never given up hope of catching the eye of Australia.

But the City defender, celebrating his first international call-up, felt Massimo Luongo’s success in the Asia Cup at the start of the year had certainly helped his cause.

Luongo, now at QPR, starred in the competition while still a League One player with Swindon. Preston defender Bailey Wright was also selected from the third tier, raising the profile of the division in Australian eyes.

Meredith said: “I didn’t think it would pass me by. But because I was playing over here and not having the exposure back home, I thought I might have been going under the radar.

“That’s especially the case when you’re playing in League One and not the Championship or higher.

“But it shows with Massimo Luongo and Bailey Wright last season that this is a good level. Look at how well Mass did in the Asian Cup.

“That was important. I watched all those games and he did fantastic.

“Now he’s kicked on and moved up and who knows, maybe I can do something similar.

“I’ve always been one to get my head down and concentrate on what I’m doing. If you work hard and do it right day in, day out eventually good things will come to you.”

National boss Ange Postecoglou has suggested that Meredith will not be starting in next month’s World Cup qualifier away to Jordan. But the 27-year-old is just thrilled to be in the squad.

“It’s just nice to be part of it and potentially to be given a go,” he added. “If I can work hard and get to know the players and the way they play on the pitch instead of watching it on television, then who knows what can happen.

“I’ve obviously never been on a training camp like this so it will be interesting to see how everything goes. But I can tell by the contact I’ve had from the Socceroos already that it will be very professional.

“They are very sharp with sports science and nutrition and the whole approach in general.”

Phil Parkinson said: “It’s a great accolade for him and the club as well. You can imagine how proud James’s family will be back in Australia.

“The good thing is that it’s a World Cup qualifier as well, not a meaningless friendly.

“I look at some of the players they’ve selected and think that James has been unlucky. But he did have two disjointed seasons with illness and injury.

“He definitely deserves it. He’s playing really well at the moment, he got his goal last week and it will give him a huge lift.”