WESTERN Sydney Wanderers' centre back Nikolai Topor-Stanley admits he still harbours aspirations of a Socceroos recall as he eyes another stellar A-League campaign with Western Sydney Wanderers.
With Holger Osieck omitting Robert Cornthwaite and Ryan McGowan from his recent Socceroos squad, Rhys Williams appears to be the only player there to challenge Sasa Ognenovksi and Lucas Neill for a spot in the heart of the defence.
As the discussion about finding younger, more agile centre-back alternatives heats up, Holger Osieck could do a lot worse over the next six months than looking at the options who built fortresses for their A-League clubs last season.
Central Coast youngster Trent Sainsbury was chosen for the East Asia Cup, but didn’t get a minute of action, Fox Sports' Andy Harper would like to see more of Brisbane skipper Matt Smith in green and gold, while Wanderers’ duo Topor-Stanley and Michael Beauchamp (who has been to two World Cups), were pillars of consistency in Tony Popovic’s outfit last term.
Topor-Stanley, who earned two Socceroos caps in 2008, is in career best shape and is hopeful his hard work at the Wanderers will pay the biggest dividend.
"I think as an Australian player, if you’re playing in the A-League, you should have those types of aspirations,” Topor-Stanley told foxsports.com.au last week.
Nikolai Topor-Stanley still harbours hopes for a Socceroos recall.
"It might not come off, but, you’ve got to give yourself the best opportunity.
"Personally, I want to play every minute of every game as I did last year and help us win games, and then get noticed.
"Hopefully I get my reward sometime. If not, that’s okay, but I’ll still push myself as hard as I’ve ever done."
The former Sydney FC, Newcastle Jets and Perth Glory defender was at the heart of the competition’s stingiest back-four last year.
With fans and pundits yearning for contenders to step up and challenge for spots at centre-back, Topor-Stanley knows there might be a bolter in the pack with a World Cup on the horizon.
"There’s always surprise packets – people you don’t expect to be put in there," he added.
"But as I said, the only way to stay there is to remain injury free, win games for the Wanderers, and that’s my focus.
"I need to give my all and remain consistent."
Topor-Stanley enjoyed a career-changing season under Popovic last season but says he’s in even better shape heading into the Wanderers’ second season.
"(Pre-season) hasn’t been a lot different – I think I found this a lot easier than last time because I came in with a different mentality," he said.
"I am already fitter, had a much better weight than I usually come in at. Even though it was really hard work, and the numbers we’re getting through GPS prove it, I’ve embraced it and I think everyone has as a key."
The challenge for Topor-Stanley and all his teammates is to avoid the dreaded second-year syndrome. Under a manager as meticulous as Popovic, that’s unlikely to happen.
"I think we identified that we were a bit of an unknown last year and people might have taken us lightly; but now, I’m sure after last season’s performances, people might take us more seriously,” Topor-Stanley said.
"That’s all part and parcel of what Poppa’s building.
"We want to be the best and to be better than everyone else, you have to work harder."
