Middlesbrough goalkeeper Brad Jones is eyeing a spot in the Socceroos squad for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. The 27-year old has been gaining valuable experience in England's top flight with the struggling Riverside club and aims to push for selection for former mentor Mark Schwarzer's position.

"If you don't look as far forward as you can to get to the top then it's not worth being here," Jones said.

"I've had a run of games now, I feel I've done OK, and the next step I've got to look forward to is the national team.

"First of all I've got to get in there on a regular basis, the national team manager (Verbeek) has been good and told me I've got to be playing if I want to get in the squad.

"That's all you need, honesty.

"He says he's not going to pick me if I'm not playing and that's absolutely fine, you know where you stand. The next step is to get in the squad and after that you obviously want to push to get a game.

"I've been patient behind Mark before and I might just have to do that a little bit longer with the national team."