The strongest hint yet that Craig Moore will start in central defence next Wednesday has been provided by Chris Coyne's revelation he's fallen out of favour with club side Colchester United.
One of the biggest talking points of the Socceroos' return to Brisbane for next week's World Cup qualifying clash against Qatar has been the return of Moore after a self-imposed eight-month exile.
It's seemed a near-certainty coach Pim Verbeek would reinstall Moore, a former national team captain, in defence alongside Lucas Neill after naming him in his 28-man training party.
Verbeek will trim his squad to 18 players on Tuesday.
Moore has continually played down his international recall, saying he'll be battling for a starting place over the next five days like everyone else.
Verbeek, Moore's former assistant coach at Germans Borussia Monchengladbach, has been equally diplomatic. He's consciously mentioned Coyne and Newcastle captain Jade North - the principal challengers for a spot alongside Neill with Michael Beauchamp missing through injury - whenever Moore's reinstatement crops up.
Yesterday, the Dutchman carefully evaded a well-worded question about whether he rewards in-form incumbents or instead turns to proven quality - clearly the debate over Coyne or Moore's inclusion against the dangerous Qataris.
But Verbeek is also known to favour players regularly turning out for their domestic clubs. Last week, after overlooking club-less Mark Milligan for his 35-man squad, he warned David Carney and Mile Sterjovski they would be next for the chop if greater domestic exposure didn't come their way.
Those aggressive sentiments might be noble for positions of strength - like Australia's midfield. But central defence isn't anywhere near of strong and Coyne's lack of game time in England's third tier will be a source of frustration for Verbeek with World Cup games in Bahrain and Japan coming up.
The Brisbane-born, Perth-raised stopper has started just three times in the league this season with his last appearance in England's League One on September 20.
Asked why manager Geraint Williams had been looking past him, Coyne replied: "I've no idea".
"Apparently I was tired after such a long winter," he said. "Managers are there to pick teams and you have to respect that and just get on with it."
Coyne's leadership credentials have left a strong impression since debuting against Iraq in June and he was yesterday lauded by goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer for providing the experience lacking since Moore originally hung up his boots last February.
He thought the chance to represent his country at senior level had passed him by after carving out a career in England's lower leagues following eight appearances for the Olyroos - some alongside Neill in defence
But if Moore does usurp Coyne, it will return the Socceroos to their 2006 World Cup backline.
Left-back Scott Chipperfield only returned to international duty in August after a year on the sidelines with a foot injury.