FC Twente striker Nikita Rukavytsya came off the bench to score for his team in a midweek friendly. The former Perth Glory marksman netted the Dutch club's second goal in their 2-0 win over German outfit Borussia Monchengladbach and it was great timing as he did whilst Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek was in the stands.

"I was surprised to hear from him but I didn't let it affect me as I was just happy to get on and make an impact in the second half," he said.

"If I have caught his eye then great but this was only a warm-up game and I know that if I'm not playing regularly then I won't be any hope of doing enough to be selected for the World Cup squad next year."

Rukavytsya knows this is an important season for him at club level after experiencing some first team action with Twente last term.

"If I can break through this year then I'm a chance (of Socceroos squad) because it would be a big step for me to be a first teamer at such a good club as Twente."