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Tommy Oar, Matt McKay and five Australian players who need to find a new club in January
For a variety of reasons this January transfer window presents all sorts of opportunities for a range of Australians who could be set for a career-boosting switch
Jan 8, 2012 9:00:00 AM
ANALYSIS
By Ben Somerford | Asian Football Editor
For any Australian playing in Europe, one thing is of the utmost importance when it comes to pushing your case for the national team - and that's game time. Too often Australians in Europe find themselves out of the first-team frame, seeing their development stalled and careers put on hold.
However, the January transfer window is the chance for many to remedy their situations.
With the Socceroos looking ahead to a busy 2012 with World Cup qualifiers on the schedule, here are five European-based Aussies who could make a move over the next month to not only improve their careers but also their national team prospects.
The former Adelaide United attacker has become a forgotten man when it comes to the Socceroos setup, having been part of the 2011 Asian Cup squad. Unfortunately for Burns, he continues to struggle to cement a regular place in the AEK side, even despite a change of manager at AEK in October, having been out of favour under the departed Manolo Jimenez. The lively forward has been linked with an A-League switch but he is well-regarded in Greece after an impressive loan stint at Kerkyra in the 2009-10 season and could opt for a domestic move instead.
The young Socceroos striker only joined 2.Bundesliga leaders Fortuna Dusseldorf last year but, given the club's success, he has struggled to break into the side. Australia coach Holger Osieck recently voiced his concern at Kruse's lack of game time which was hindering his development, as the majority of the 23-year-old's appearances have been brief cameos off the bench. A loan switch to another German second-tier club could suit Kruse, as he will want to be a Fortuna player if they clinch promotion as expected.
The key Socceroo has enjoyed a rapid rise in the past year-and-a-half, however, his past six months at Rangers have seen his stock plummet. After joining the Scottish champions from Brisbane in August, McKay battled injury before struggling to break into Ally McCoist's side. Besides a run of games in November, it's been slim pickings for the midfielder, who will know that he needs to find regular action otherwise his Socceroos spot will be at risk. McKay is being advised by ex-Rangers defender Craig Moore, who admitted recently that a return home could be considered.
The Utrecht No. 10 had been flying early in the 2011-12 season, with goals and assists coming regularly, before a change of management left him in the lurch. Oar has struggled for opportunities under new boss Jan Wouters and that doesn't look like changing any time soon. After a 2010-11 season spent mostly in the reserve team, now is the time for the 20-year-old to be getting regular senior action and a move elsewhere, likely on loan, could suit his long-term development.
The young Australian utility man has bounced back from a crippling pelvic injury to emerge as an exceptional talent in past six months. Williams, who reads play particularly well, has played a key role in Boro's promotion push during the 2011-12 Championship campaign but, with his star on the rise, there has allegedly been interest from Premier League clubs Bolton and Newcastle. While Boro are in the hunt for promotion, Williams has proven that he is ready to take on the top flight now and a transfer in January could be in the offing for the highly-rated defender/midfielder.
Follow Ben Somerford on
By Ben Somerford | Asian Football Editor
For any Australian playing in Europe, one thing is of the utmost importance when it comes to pushing your case for the national team - and that's game time. Too often Australians in Europe find themselves out of the first-team frame, seeing their development stalled and careers put on hold.
| Bet: | Returns: | Rangers £15.00 | Draw £35.00 | Motherwell £60.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Rangers £15.71 | Draw £35.00 | Motherwell £70.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Rangers £14.00 | Draw £43.30 | Motherwell £85.00 |
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However, the January transfer window is the chance for many to remedy their situations.
With the Socceroos looking ahead to a busy 2012 with World Cup qualifiers on the schedule, here are five European-based Aussies who could make a move over the next month to not only improve their careers but also their national team prospects.
| NATHAN BURNS | AEK Athens, Attacker, 23 |
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The former Adelaide United attacker has become a forgotten man when it comes to the Socceroos setup, having been part of the 2011 Asian Cup squad. Unfortunately for Burns, he continues to struggle to cement a regular place in the AEK side, even despite a change of manager at AEK in October, having been out of favour under the departed Manolo Jimenez. The lively forward has been linked with an A-League switch but he is well-regarded in Greece after an impressive loan stint at Kerkyra in the 2009-10 season and could opt for a domestic move instead.
| ROBBIE KRUSE | Fortuna Dusseldorf, Striker, 23 |
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The young Socceroos striker only joined 2.Bundesliga leaders Fortuna Dusseldorf last year but, given the club's success, he has struggled to break into the side. Australia coach Holger Osieck recently voiced his concern at Kruse's lack of game time which was hindering his development, as the majority of the 23-year-old's appearances have been brief cameos off the bench. A loan switch to another German second-tier club could suit Kruse, as he will want to be a Fortuna player if they clinch promotion as expected.
| MATT McKAY | Rangers, Midfielder, 28 |
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The key Socceroo has enjoyed a rapid rise in the past year-and-a-half, however, his past six months at Rangers have seen his stock plummet. After joining the Scottish champions from Brisbane in August, McKay battled injury before struggling to break into Ally McCoist's side. Besides a run of games in November, it's been slim pickings for the midfielder, who will know that he needs to find regular action otherwise his Socceroos spot will be at risk. McKay is being advised by ex-Rangers defender Craig Moore, who admitted recently that a return home could be considered.
| TOMMY OAR | Utrecht, Left Winger, 20 |
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The Utrecht No. 10 had been flying early in the 2011-12 season, with goals and assists coming regularly, before a change of management left him in the lurch. Oar has struggled for opportunities under new boss Jan Wouters and that doesn't look like changing any time soon. After a 2010-11 season spent mostly in the reserve team, now is the time for the 20-year-old to be getting regular senior action and a move elsewhere, likely on loan, could suit his long-term development.
| RHYS WILLIAMS | Middlesbrough, Defender/Midfielder, 23 |
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The young Australian utility man has bounced back from a crippling pelvic injury to emerge as an exceptional talent in past six months. Williams, who reads play particularly well, has played a key role in Boro's promotion push during the 2011-12 Championship campaign but, with his star on the rise, there has allegedly been interest from Premier League clubs Bolton and Newcastle. While Boro are in the hunt for promotion, Williams has proven that he is ready to take on the top flight now and a transfer in January could be in the offing for the highly-rated defender/midfielder.
Follow Ben Somerford on
Which other Australian players could use a change of scenery in January? Let us know!
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