It might prove to be a case of wishful thinking but the basement battlers from the lower leagues are hopeful of snaring a World Cup and Asian Cup star

National Premier Leagues Victoria strugglers North Geelong are talking up the prospect of an audacious swoop for Socceroos defender Ivan Franjic.

The former Brisbane Roar star is back in Australia after walking out on Torpedo Moscow over unpaid wages.

The 27-year-old has been linked with Melbourne City and could also try his luck with a different European club.

But with both the A-League and the European season set to wind down in the coming weeks, North Geelong - promoted to the NPL Victoria last season but bottom of the table after 10 matches this term – are hoping to recruit a-not-so secret weapon.

According to a report in the Geelong Advertiser, North Geelong coach Micky Colina, the man who handed a debut to Franjic during the pair's time together at St Albans, could give the struggling side the edge in a potential race to seal his short-term services.

“We’re entertaining the idea,” Colina was quoted as saying.

“It doesn’t hurt to ask the question and we’d be stupid not to make contact.

“I have a good relationship and a good friendship (with Ivan). There’s a reality that we do face, though, and I’m sure there would be other clubs doing the same thing.

“His brother (Joseph) is at Hume City and I hear they are looking to add a few players to their squad. He could end up there if he plays NPL.

“If we could get him to North Geelong, it’d be awesome. It’d be a great boost for the league and for the Geelong region. He’s a Socceroo, in the A-League team of the decade … it’d be massive."