Hodgson has backed Austin's switch of allegiance to England provided it is not "plan B" - and the Warrington Wolves playmaker has fired back at critics to prove his desire.

Austin looms as a genuine chance to play for Great Britain this year following his inclusion in a 27-man elite performance squad.

An international call-up would see Austin rekindle his relationship with Canberra Raiders duo Josh Hodgson and Elliott Whitehead this year.

The former Raiders playmaker qualifies for England through his maternal grandmother and has previously declared his desire to represent his heritage.

That dream is edging closer towards reality as Warrington Wolves five-eighth Austin surges to the front of the Super League's Man of Steel vote count.

Wayne Bennett's English squad will gather next month before a Great Britain squad is selected in September ahead of a tour which includes Tests against New Zealand, Tonga and Papua New Guinea after 12 years on the shelf.

Austin's inclusion has been slammed by Great Britain legend Garry Schofield and some have questioned whether selecting a western Sydney product over homegrown halves is devaluing the Super League.

"It's obviously a bit of a controversial one because he has got an English grandmother and people are umming and aahing," Hodgson said.

"As long as England isn't a plan B option, I'm sure no one will have any problems with that. As long as that's the case, and it's not a plan B option, then everything else is fine.

"He's playing some really good footy and he really seems to be enjoying himself over there.

"He's a really good kid off the field so it's nice to see him settled in England, because I know it would have been a tough move with a young family.

"He's a great bloke, I love Austo, and he's a good player. He's killing it over there, I'm really happy for him. He and his family have settled and he is playing some really good footy over there."

Austin is the Super League's leading try scorer this season with 18 and his 105 tackle busts have him equal-second on the list, behind Wakefield wrecking ball David Fifita.

His rich vein of form is far from enough to convince 46-Test veteran Schofield he is worthy of a Lions jersey, but Austin has hit back at his critics.

"Certainly no-one from the England set-up went out of their way to change my allegiance," Austin said on Sky Sports.

"Whether people believe this or not, it's something I've wanted to do and had a desire to do for quite a while now. I've maintained the whole way through that I haven't wanted to disrespect anyone involved in the set-up, but there are a few parts of this.

"I'm eligible; this country has played such a huge part in my grandmother's life, she's a special lady to me and the strongest woman I've ever come across, and she owes a lot to this country for making her; and finally I'm playing in this country and contributing to the game over here."

Austin's representative career peaked with NSW City during his time in the NRL but international rugby league isn't a complete unknown.

The Doonside Roos junior once forced his way into the Portugal side for three games as a teenager. With no heritage to call on, Austin joked it was on account of eating a Portuguese chicken burger.

A possible international call-up could see Austin cross paths with another trio of Raiders in John Bateman, Ryan Sutton and incoming halfback George Williams should they all play for the Lions this year.