Brillante upbeat over Caltex Socceroos' midfield battle

Recalled midfielder Josh Brillante admits it won't be easy to achieve redemption for his late exclusion from the Caltex Socceroos' last FIFA World Cup squad.

Brillante was a member of Australia's extended roster for Brazil 2014 but was unable to force his way into the final 23.

And although he's contending with the likes of Mile Jedinak, Mark Milligan and Massimo Luongo for a national team spot, the Sydney FC workhorse isn't daunted by the prospect of breaking in from the outside.

"It's probably one of the strongest parts of our team, the midfield," Brillante told socceroos.com.au.

"We've got a lot of good quality in the midfield so it's going to be tough.

"But I see it as a learning experience. Learn off those guys and try to be better than them.

"That's the aim, to keep improving. That's what I'll be looking to do."

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With a string of trophies for Sydney FC and almost another two full seasons in the Hyundai A-League behind him, Brillante says he's better placed now than he was four years ago.

"Obviously being involved up to the World Cup and being dropped just before is tough," he said.

"But I was young back then and had a lot of learning and developing to do.

"Hopefully this time I can stand my ground in the team and put myself on the list to go away to the World Cup.

"I think as a player and a person I've grown up a bit more."