Nathan Burns has been called up for Australia ahead of their two 2018 Fifa World Cup qualifiers next month, his club FC Tokyo announced on Wednesday.

The defending Asian Cup champions will host Kyrgyzstan on November 12, before traveling to Bangladesh on November 17.

“We need to collected a full six points from these two matches, which may be the most important of the group stage,” Burns commented. 

“It’s always special to play for the national team at home, and I’m especially excited to be able to play in Canberra near my hometown.”

The former A-League Player of the Year has two goals in 10 appearances for fourth-place Tokyo this season.