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Leeds United: Kilkenny is cool on an Aussie recall
Neil Kilkenny admits he is not holding his breath over his chances of being handed a return from his Socceroos exile.
The Leeds United schemer, capped twice at full international level by Australia, has not played for his country since the summer of 2008 when he was furious at not being given much game time during the Olympic Games in Bejiing.
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Kilkenny – who was born in London but raised from an early age in Brisbane – fired a broadside in the direction of under-23s coach Graham Arnold afterwards, claiming the official reneged on a promise to make him a vital part of the team.
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The 23-year-old has been out in the international cold ever since and is philosophical over his hopes of being recalled as the Aussies step up their preparations for next summer's World Cup finals in South Africa.
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However, all may not yet be lost for Kilkenny, after coach Pim Verbeek opened the door for his Whites team-mate Patrick Kisnorbo to return to the national side for the first time since a disastrous Asian Cup campaign in June 2007.
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The no-nonsense centre-back was offered a route back for the Socceroos' friendly with the Republic of Ireland in Limerick in August.
On his own chances, Kilkenny – who shunned England and Ireland to plump for Australia – said: "I don't know...obviously I need to play here first.
"If the call comes along, then fair enough, but I think there's a lot of politics involved in the Australian set-up.
"The assistant-manager doesn't really like me, so I don't think he (Pim Verbeek) will pick me.
"I got called up for the Ireland team (before), but unfortunately I was injured at the time, so I couldn't really go.
"I would have loved to have gone and hopefully would have shown everyone how good I was."
Kisnorbo came on as an 89th-minute substitute in 10-man Australia's hard-fought 2-1 Asian Cup qualifying success in Oman on Saturday.
The Whites defender replaced former Elland Road star Harry Kewell for the Socceroos, for whom Middlesbrough's Rhys Williams was sent off after 18 minutes.
Loan ace Sam Vokes also tasted international action, coming on as a half-time sub' for Ched Evans in Wales' emphatic 3-0 success over Scotland in Cardiff.
Meanwhile, Leeds have been kept apart from West Yorkshire rivals Bradford City in the semi-finals of the northern section of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy after being paired with Accrington Stanley.
The tie against the Lancastrians will take place at Elland Road in the week commencing December 14.
Bradford will travel to ex-Bantam Greg Abbott's Carlisle United.
Whites boss Simon Grayson said: "It's a home draw and that's all you want in any competition.
"We're three games away from Wembley and as I've said before, it's a competition we are looking to get to the final in."
In the southern section, Southampton host Norwich City, while Hereford United entertain MK Dons.
Leeds have been handed a boost ahead of next Saturday's game at Brighton, with the news loan star Max Gradel is to stay at the club until the New Year.
The winger's original one-month loan expired this week and he has penned a new deal keeping him at United until January 2, although parent club Leicester City have inserted a 24-hour recall clause.
Keeper Shane Higgs had signed a contract extension – keeping him at Elland Road until the summer of 2011.
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Weather for Leeds
Saturday 26 May 2012
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Temperature: 9 C to 21 C
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