Qantas Socceroo Mile Jedinak will headline Australia’s contribution to the English Championship when the country’s second-tier competition kicks off next week.
Qantas Socceroo Mile Jedinak will headline Australia-s contribution to the English Championship when the country-s second-tier competition kicks off on Friday 17 August.
A key player at Crystal Palace, Jedinak - called up to the squad to play Scotland in Wednesday's friendly - will line up against current Qantas Socceroo teammates Scott McDonald and Rhys Williams (Middlesbrough) and Neil Kilkenny (Bristol City) throughout the Championship-s demanding 46-game campaign.
Additionally, Patrick Kisnorbo (Leeds United) and Shane Lowry (Millwall) - each of whom have been featured within the Qantas Socceroos set up in recent years - will feature for their respective clubs.
Now in his second year at London-based Palace, Jedinak will be fundamental to the Eagles- chances of promotion having cemented his spot in central midfield under coach Dougie Freedman.
“Obviously I-ve got a few mates in the opposition teams,” said Jedinak.
“Playing against Scotty (McDonald) and Rhys (Williams) is always an interesting one.
“We had a loss and a draw against them last year but it was a great experience, it-s always good to see them on the field and doing really well.
“Scotty had a great season and so did Rhys for that matter, just before they got injured - both of them - I think if they had stayed on the park for the whole season, they probably would have pushed for promotion.
“When I play against Killa (Neil Kilkenny) as well it-s the same thing, obviously we play in the same position so we-re around each other all the more.
One former Championship contributor, goalkeeper Adam Federici, has made the step up to the English Premier League this season with newly promoted Reading.
The Sydney-born shot stopper was a standout in securing Reading-s passage to the top flight, where the 27-year-old will soon be meeting the challenges of Wayne Rooney and Sergio Aguero amongst others.
A daunting challenge indeed, but one Federici is up to, according to Jedinak.
“I loved playing against Fedders when I got the chance to last time, he pulled off a few great saves, a couple of headers from me, which I knew he was going to save, but it good to try and get close enough,” said Jedinak.