MITCHELL Pearce has put his hand up to try and sneak a utility spot on the end-of-year Kangaroos tour.

Johnathan Thurston and Cooper Cronk will start in the halves for Australia in the one-off Test in Perth, followed by the Four Nations tour of Scotland and England, which stars against the Scots on October 29.

With incumbent Michael Morgan also certain to feature in the 24-man squad, Pearce will need to have a brilliant final month in the NRL to be any chance to draw level with other playmaking options including Anthony Milford, Cronulla pair James Maloney and Jack Bird, and possibly Daly Cherry-Evans.

But a month in rugby league can be a long time, and Pearce is desperate to make up for lost time after missing the opening two months of the season because of his well-documented Australia Day antics.

Pearce wants coach Mal Meninga to consider him as a back-up hooker to Cameron Smith, especially with NSW rake Robbie Farah relegated to reserve grade, and the fact he has plenty of representative experience.

“I hadn’t thought that far ahead, and it was all about getting back for the Roosters, but I’d love to be a part of that,’’ Pearce told The Saturday Telegraph.

Mitchell Pearce wants coach Mal Meninga to consider him as a back-up hooker option for the Kangaroos. Picture: Mark Evans Source: News Corp Australia

“There’s been a bit of talk about that lately, and I’d love to keep playing footy and playing well. It would be a dream to play on that tour.’’

Pearce was looking forward to Monday’s trip to Penrith, with plenty of similarities between him and Panthers No. 7 Nathan Cleary.

Both are sons of wonderful players, and both debuted as teenagers in the high-pressure halfback role.

“I don’t know (Cleary) personally, but he looks pretty cool, calm and collected,’’ Pearce said.

“I was 17 when I debuted, and turned 18 a few days later.

“You don’t have the same fears and pressures. You don’t have as much responsibility, so you’re out there doing your best and being free.

“Obviously there’s the pressure of playing against bigger men. But each year it changes as you get older, and there comes the expectation you have on yourself and the responsibility.’’

Nathan Cleary will lock horns with Mitchell Pearce and the Roosters. Picture: Brett Costello Source: News Corp Australia

Pearce said his role had changed this season, especially with the loss of Roger Tuivcasa-Sheck at fullback, and recent pairing with exciting five-eighth Connor Watson.

“There was a bit of hurt when we were losing, but we’ve accepted we won’t make the finals, and we’ve been about the bigger picture, and getting better each week and keeping our standards high,’’ Pearce said.

“It hasn’t been up to scratch this year for a lot of reasons, but this is the time for us we’ve committed to try and change., It’s like an extended pre-season. We also have fans and a lot of pride to play for.’’