DAVID Carney has been warned his lack of Championship action could have a negative impact upon his international ambitions.
The Sheffield United midfielder finds himself in the strange position of being a regular for Australia, who host Qatar in a World Cup qualifier later this month, but on the fringes of Kevin Blackwell's first-choice X1 at Bramall Lane.
Carney has yet to make a league appearance for United this term and it has prompted Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek to express his concern.
Citing Carney and Derby County's Mile Sterjovski among his biggest concerns, Verbeek said: "They are on the list but I have to seriously think what I'm going to do with them in the future. Because if this is going on like this, I have to make, probably for them, not very popular decisions."
Ironically, Carney's chances of forcing his way into Blackwell's plans could be enhanced by a period in the international wilderness following the United manager's admission that a constant stream of call-ups for the Socceroos has made it impossible to judge the 24-year-old talents.
But Verbeek's decision to speak out has left Carney in a potentially awkward situation, having recently reiterated his desire to establish himself with the promotion hopefuls.
A strong performance in Brisbane on October 15 would be the perfect response.
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