The Jambos star is due back from injury in the next week but is doubtful to be released for international duty next month.
Steven Naismith is set to block Australia U23’s hopes of calling up Calem Nieuwenhof for their Olympic qualifiers next month - but insists the midfielder should be a fully-fledged Socceroo soon anyway.
And his form has him firmly on the radar for former Rangers star Tony Vidmar’s Olyroos who face an Asian Cup triple header against Jordan, Indonesia and Qatar starting on April 15. Those ties double as Olympic Games qualifiers ahead of this summer’s showpiece in Paris. But Naismith reckons Hearts’ need is greater, especially with the Hampden semi final falling on April 21. Nieuwenhof has sat out the last two games with a hamstring injury but is due back against Kilmarnock after the break.
Nieuwenhof - who has seven caps for the Aussie U23s - has grown to become a key man in the engine room for Naismith after making the switch from down under last summer. Sitting in beside Beni Baningime his energy, reading of the game and range of passing has been impressive and he’s chipped in with a couple of goals in his last nine appearances too.
Naismith said: “I think he would have been. I've said it for the last month. I think Airdrie in the cup was the first time I mentioned it - I think he'll make a squad within the season.
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