SOCCEROOS boss Ange Postecoglou says September is the ideal A-League new season start if domestic Australian players want to have the absolute best chance of playing international soccer.

September is, for most good leagues in Europe, the first international window of the new season.

Postecoglou on Wednesday perhaps backed his statement by naming a 23-man squad for two 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers next month against Iraq and United Arab Emirates with Tim Cahill the only A-Leaguer named in the Socceroos.

The new Melbourne City arrival is just three days into preseason as other A-League players that have started preseason in June and July were not surprisingly shunned for the crucial opening round four Asian Football Confederation qualifiers.

“The A-League pretty much finished in April and it’s been a long time off for those players,’’ Postecoglou said.

“All A-League clubs are working their players to be ready for the start of the season which is in October not September.

“Last year this time we called up A-League players and they struggled with the physicality and intensity of what we do.

“It just made sense this time to wait for the October camp and we’ll have a look at the A-League players then.

“I think ideally for us if we had a (A-League) September start that would capture this window here but by having an October start you’re making it very hard for A-League players to be available for this window.

“The (A-League) season finishing in April is fine, ideally if you can extend it a little bit longer at the back end of the season but at the start of the season for us the September camp becomes problematic for any A-League players to be involved.”

The A-League since 2011 has kicked off in October.

The A-League season’s mid spring kick off has seen the league miss September FIFA international windows where the Socceroos have played 10 matches including five where crucial qualification points were at stake since 2011.

But Postecoglou said he had picked the current squad based on players having good early season form in Europe and in Asia.

And former Adelaide United winger Craig Goodwin, 24, missing out on selection despite scoring for Sparta Rotterdam last weekend was only due to the South Australian picking up an injury — shin splints — in the Dutch pre season.

Postecoglou says Goodwin will be in contention for FIFA World Cup qualifiers in October against Saudi Arabia (away) and Japan (home) if he stays in good form.

“It played a part (Goodwin’s injury),’’ Postecoglou said.

“He actually started preseason really well, played some games and scored and then he had his injury where he missed weeks and obviously we monitor the players daily.

“He started his first (league) game last weekend and I just think this camp is a little bit too early for him and it’s really important particularly him being at a new club, that he’s allowed to settle there and get to full fitness.

“We have two other games around the corner and we’ll keep an eye on him and if he’s in form he’ll be in contention for the next one.”