SAINTS CAN EARN ME A RETURN TO OZ

Baccus targets a place back in the Australian team

- COLIN PATERSON

Keanu Baccus hopes a star turn at St Mirren will catapult him back into the reckoning with the Socceroos.

The Buddies midfielder is keen to regain his place in the Australia national team squad after a spell on the sidelines.

Baccus hasn't played for Australia since coming on as a substitute in the 1-1 World Cup qualifying draw with Japan last October.

It's thought playing for Mansfield Town in Sky Bet League One has impacted his chances of call-ups.

Now he is back in the Scottish Premiership, Baccus wants to find form and force his way into head coach Tony Popovic's plans.

He said: "Because I'm from Australia, I didn't know the ins and outs of how those things work; how playing for a third-tier side could diminish my chances of playing for Australia.

"When I went there, I thought my performances would still warrant selection.