HERE’S some great news for Socceroos fans ahead of the World Cup qualifier against Thailand.

Captain Mile Jedinak had his “best game” yet for Aston Villa in a 2-1 win over Blackburn in the Championship, according to Gregg Evans in the Birmingham Mail.

Not only did the midfielder provide a superb pass in behind Blackburn’s defence to assist for Jonathan Kodija’s 70th minute match-winning goal, but he also showed “his confidence is sky high” after an underwhelming start to his Villa career.

“The Australian was immense again for Villa,” wrote Evans.

“Buoyed by his performance in the Second City derby last weekend, clearly his confidence was high.

Can we all admire the eye for a pass from Mile Jedinak for our second goal yesterday? #AVFC pic.twitter.com/MRMTfuEG2I — Matt Lynch (@mattlyynch) November 6, 2016

“It showed as he looked comfortable sitting in front of the back four. Breaking up play, tracking runners, and winning crucial interceptions, Jedinak played a huge part in this important win.

“He has become a key player under Bruce and Villa fans are starting to see why he became such a popular figure at Crystal Palace.”

His manager Steve Bruce said as much after the match.

“He’s played really well in the last couple of games and he’s started playing like the player he knows he is,” said Bruce.

“And the lads around him have helped him do that.

“I isolated him a bit against Wolves but since then he’s done well.”

Mile Jedinak. Source: Getty Images

Jedinak received the best rating of any Villa player (7.5/10) from HITC Sport.

“The 32-year-old Australian battled away in the centre of the park, making six interceptions and seven clearances, while also winning two tackles and a match-leading 11 aerial duels,” according to HITC Sport.

“Further proof that he’s much more effective in a three-man midfield.”

It just shows what a difference some time settling in at a club can make.

Steve Wollaston made note of Jedinak’s “transformation” and how it’s set to continue benefiting Villa.

“You only have to look at the Mile Jedinak transformation to see how a player deemed a ‘waste of money’ by some fans, can suddenly look spot-on in a balanced confident midfield,” wrote Wollaston in the Birmingham Mail.

Bruce on Jedinak: "He’s played really well in the last couple of games and he’s started playing like the player he knows he is." #AVFC pic.twitter.com/GQo7WlN9Tj — TVZ (@TheVillaZone) November 7, 2016

While Jedinak’s great form will be welcome news to Ange Postecoglou, Bruce won’t be happy to lose the midfielder for Villa’s clash with Brighton.

“Jedinak won’t play, he plays on the Tuesday in Thailand - so how can I expect to make him play on the Friday?” bemoaned Bruce.

“It makes the game just that bit harder, Brighton are a good team who’ve made a wonderful start.”

Villa are on a five match unbeaten run and are 14th on the Championship table.

Here’s your Socceroos health check ahead of the World Cup qualifier against Thailand.

INS AND OUTS

Both Massimo Luongo and Mitch Langerak have been ruled out of the clash with foot injuries, while striker Tomi Juric has also been ruled out.

The Queens Park Rangers midfielder has been replaced by Melbourne City midfielder Luke Brattan, Swansea City’s Mark Birighitti is in for Stuttgart’s goalkeeper, and Apo Giannou comes in for Juric.

“Mitch and Massimo have foot injuries that have ruled them out of the match against Thailand,” Postecoglou said.

“We have called in Luke Brattan and Mark Birighitti and they will join the squad in Bangkok immediately for the week-long training camp and we know they will do the job required.

“Both Mitch and Massimo have been managing injuries and we think it is best they stay with their clubs to help with their recovery over the international break.”

“We have had confirmation from the medical staff at Luzern that Tomi has suffered a knee injury that will rule him out of the match against Thailand,” Postecoglou said.

“Apo Giannou was on standby and he is on his way to Thailand to join the squad.

“Over the last 18 months we have worked hard to ensure we have depth and we have full faith in Apo to join the squad and get the job done.”

FITAND FIRING?

MIDFIELDERS

Tom Rogic is continuing to star for Scottish Champions Celtic and scored his eighth goal of the season in a 3-0 win over Inverness.

The 23-year-old midfielder came off the bench with 20 minutes to play, and after receiving a clever cut back at the top of the 18-yard box, he took one control before driving a powerful low shot that the goalkeeper couldn’t stop.

Aaron Mooy is another midfielder in great form for club and country, but he could only help Huddersfield Town to a 1-1 draw with Birmingham City in the Championship to stay third.

It was a similar story for Jackson Irvine, who has been impressive this season and played a full match, but was unable to make a breakthrough in Burton’s goalless draw with Barnsley.

Mark Milligan is another option for Postecoglou in midfield. He recently played a full match for UAE Gulf League side Baniyas as they lost 2-0 to Al Dhafra

ATTACKERS

Winger Craig Goodwin may push for minutes against Thailand after he scored one goal and assisted another in Sparta Rotterdam’s 3-1 win over Heerenveen in the Dutch Eredivisie.

However, he’ll likely be competing with Mathew Leckie and Robbie Kruse for a spot on the wing.

Leckie played for FC Ingolstadt over the weekend, but failed to help them win their first game of the season as they went down 2-0 to Augsburg in the Bundesliga.

Kruse didn’t even see the pitch as watched Bayer Leverkusen beat Darmstadt 98 3-2 from the bench.

Further up front, Jamie Maclaren will be hoping to earn a starting spot following his second A-League goal in as many matches.

After scoring against former club Perth Glory last week, the Roar striker scored the only goal in Brisbane’s 1-0 win over Tim Cahill’s Melbourne City on Friday night.

But striker Nathan Burns may be also be vying for the same position. He’s back in the Socceroos fold following a lack of game time at club FC Tokyo and is planning to make the most of his opportunity.

“It was obviously disappointing,” the J-League forward told FFA TV when quizzed about missing out on Socceroo selection last month.

“Maybe my form in club football was the reason I didn’t get picked. I was battling to get into the squad [at FC Tokyo].

“And so that was the expectation that Ange has for the players to be playing week in week out. “But in saying that it was for about the last 18 months I was in every [Caltex Socceroos] squad, and featured in the majority of the matches.

“So it’s just an eye opener to get back on the pitch and work hard and get your position back.”

DEFENDERS

Bailey Wright comes into the squad with a full match under his belt in the Championship after Preston North End beat Rotherham 3-1 to be three points outside play-off places.

Perth Glory’s Josh Risdon will enter with similar confidence after a 2-2 draw with Western Sydney Wanderers.

Milos Degenek was on the bench for 1860 Munich as they lost 3-2 to Sandhausen, and is joined in the squad by Asian-based players Trent Sainsbury and Mathew Spiranovic.

Bournemouth’s Brad Smith hasn’t seen much game time recently, but expect to see him at left-back.

GOALKEEPERS

First choice keeper Mathew Ryan was confined to the bench as Valencia lost 2-1 to Celta de Vigo in La Liga, while the same applied for Bournemouth’s Adam Federici in a 2-1 defeat to Sunderland.