Yengi chasing Socceroos start, in Robertson's ear

Confident striker Kusini Yengi is determined to show coach Tony Popovic he's the man to take the Socceroos forward - and he hopes good friend Alex Robertson will soon join him.

Yengi is back in the fold for World Cup qualifiers against Saudi Arabia and Bahrain after a suspension, then injury, ruled him out of the last window.

The 25-year-old has yet to play under Popovic but is ready to push for a start against the Saudis at AAMI Park on Thursday night.

"For me, it doesn't really matter who the coach is," Yengi said on Tuesday.

"I have a lot of belief in myself as a player, and I'm looking forward to training today and showing what I can do in training and showing to Tony that I'm capable of starting for his team.

"And if he picks me to start, then I'll go and give him my best and try help the team by scoring goals and pressing and working hard. And if I'm on the bench, then I'll do the same when I come on.

"And if I'm not in the squad, I'll be there to support the boys."

Yengi hasn't been joined in this squad by Robertson, 21.

The twice-capped Cardiff City midfielder is injured but has also made himself unavailable for Socceroos selection.

"I speak to Alex quite often. We played at Portsmouth (together) last year and we were very good friends," Yengi said.

"I think he's a bit confused at the moment with what he wants and what he doesn't want. He's still young, and he's still trying to figure out his body and how his career's going to pan out.

"Obviously he's got some decisions to make, and I'm sure when the time comes, he'll make that decision.

"But look, I'd love to play with him in a Socceroos jersey, and I'm constantly telling him to come and play and give me some through balls and give me some assists and things like that.

"So I'm hoping one day in the future that we'll see him playing in the Socceroos again."

When asked if he thought Robertson would return and had responded to his encouragement positively, Yengi said: "I hope so."

"He's very positive. And I think he's just trying to figure everything out but I think when the time comes, he will make a decision and he'll come back and play for us."

Yengi has worked past injuries and the "sad" and "frustrating" experience of being sent off against Bahrain and feeling like he'd let the team down.

He is also relishing playing in the Championship, England's second tier, with newly-promoted Portsmouth.

"I wasn't really involved too much start of the season, but in the games that I've played so far, I haven't found much of a difference," he said.

"The defenders are still a bit dirty off the ball, and I don't really get too many free kicks in my favour, it's a similar kind of thing.

"I'm in a lot better place than I was coming into the previous camp.

"I've played a lot more games, and my body feels good, and my mind is clear, and I'm looking forward to these games and to do well and to help win points and help qualification."