Federici still the man

Wolverhampton's Marcus Hahnemann believes his former Reading team-mate, young Australian goalkeeper Adam Federici can still play a major role for the Socceroos at the 2010 World Cup finals.

Federici was left out of Australian coach Pim Verbeek's squad for the friendly clash with Ireland on August 12, despite assuming the mantle of Championship side Reading's No.1 goalkeeper following Hahnemann's move to Wolves this summer.

One of four back-ups to incumbent Australian keeper Mark Schwarzer, Federici is competing with Brad Jones, Michael Petkovic and Ante Covic for a place in Verbeek's World Cup squad, with 34-year-old Covic given the nod for the Ireland game.

But after battling Federici for selection during Reading's stay in the Premier League and Championship, Hahnemann believes the 24-year-old will see off his challengers and head to South Africa with the Socceroos next year.

"You know I had my work cut out for me keeping Adam out of the team for a long time," said Hahnemann ahead of the Championship season kicking off this weekend, with Reading taking on Nottingham Forest at the Madjeski Stadium.

"So I definitely have high expectations for him and I thought of him as a really good goalkeeper."

"When he first came on trial, you could see the potential in him and he (always) keeps improving, keeps improving."

"So hopefully he has a good year and plays tons of games and he'll be there."

While USA international Hahnemann was injured last season, Federici played 15 matches for the Royals, his glovework and a sensational injury-time equaliser helping Reading challenge for an immediate return to the Premiership after the club was demoted in 2007-08 with an inferior goal difference to Fulham.

Despite being one of the favourites to immediately return to the top tier, the Royals lost their qualifier to Burnley, Hahnemann subsequently taking his chance to move to Championship winners Wolverhampton.

Hahnemann, though, still has a fight on his hand at Wolves as the stopper will be battling Wayne Hennessey and Carl Ikeme for selection, but says he's determined to make the most of his return to the Premiership after the disappointment at Reading.

"I've come to play," declared Hahnemann, rejecting reports his role at Molineux was a coaching one.

"But if I can pass on my experiences to the other goalkeepers that's also a role that I will take."

"But I'm preparing myself to play. I've come here to play, that's what I want to do, and that's why I play this game," he said.

But at 37, Hahnemann knows his days in the Premier League are numbered, the stopper saying a return to the American MLS could be on the cards.

"It's always been the goal to go back and play in the MLS at some stage," Hahnemann said.

"I'm from Seattle, and me and (former US goalkeeper) Casey Keller are from the same sort of area."

"He went back and Seattle got an MLS team and it kind of worked. It was perfect timing for him and he's got that two-year deal."

"So I'm kind of looking at two more years (in England) and then maybe heading back and hopefully playing a couple of seasons in the MLS."