Sterjovski's Cup dilemma

Perth Glory marquee man Mile Sterjovski is desperately hoping to avoid being forced into a loan move in January to secure his place at next year's World Cup.

However he admits missing the A-League finals next February is an increasingly likely possibility as most European and Asian clubs won't allow a player to arrive on loan during March after Australia's domestic season has finished.

Sterjovski has been named in Australian coach Pim Verbeek's 23-man squad for the upcoming Asian Cup qualifier against Oman in Muscat, having narrowly missed selection for last month's 1-0 win over the same opponent due to an ankle injury.

Having been part of Australia's successful World Cup qualification campaign, the former Derby man is desperate to head to South Africa, especially as Verbeek said on Wednesday his ability to switch from a midfield to forward role could be intrinsic to the coach's long-term plans.

But Sterjovski and his Perth Glory team-mates, fringe Socceroos Jacob Burns and Chris Coyne, are all too aware selection for South Africa is virtually conditional on them playing a full European season, so they are match hardened by June.

But they also face a terrible dilemma as achieving this means leaving the Glory just as the club could be embarking on its maiden A-League finals appearance.

"I'm in a bit of a difficult situation," said Sterjovski on Wednesday.

"Because I want to stay here until the end of the A-League season, but at the same time if I can't get a loan move in March, then I'm going to have to look at the January move."

"It's a different market in Asia and Europe and unfortunately a lot of them open only until the end of January, so there's only a few from March onwards."

"I've got my agent working on that. He's looking at all options (so) I'm just concentrating on playing football at the moment."

"It's difficult to say, but you'd have to say at this moment in time, it (a January move) is most likely, but I'm still hopeful of finding something in March because my priority is to finish off the season with Perth."

Glory owner Tony Sage has previously raised the possibility of loan moves to Melbourne Victory or Adelaide United for his Socceroos trio, as both sides will be competing in the Asian Champions League competition after the A-League finals.

But with such a move appearing a very slim chance, Sage has also been reported saying he won't stand in the way of his players chasing their World Cup dream, although he's more than aware what impact it may have.

Despite the difficult position, Sterjovski has no regrets about leaving Championship side Derby County last May to return to Australia, although he was aware of Verbeek's belief the Australian league isn't at a high enough standard to prepare for international football.

"I think it's the right move for me and my family. I've enjoyed every minute of it, no regrets at all," Sterjovksi said.

Verbeek's own opinion of the A-League may be coming around as well, the coach saying Melbourne's Archie Thompson and Sydney pair Alex Brosque and Mark Bridge were all in line to be called into the squad as regular striker Josh Kennedy is under a fitness cloud and Celtic marksman Scott McDonald has been left out following a goalless run at international level.

Having seen Thompson run the Glory