THREE years ago Jamie Maclaren left Blackburn Rovers to return to Australia but tomorrow he will be back on English soil in the hope of making his international debut against the country where he still has a burning ambition to succeed.

The rising Socceroos star spent four years on the books of Rovers after impressing on trial but was released in 2013 after being unable to break into the first-team picture during one of the most turbulent spells in the club’s history.

MORE TOP STORIES:

But since then Maclaren’s career has gone from strength to strength with the Brisbane Roar striker going into Australia’s international friendly with England at the Stadium of Light on the back of the best season of his burgeoning career.

The 22-year-old finished the A-League regular season with 18 goals, which is an all-time competition record for an Australian player, and which left him second only behind Melbourne City’s Uruguayan frontman Bruno Fornaroli in the race for the Golden Boot.

Maclaren’s red-hot form in front of goal, which also included a further two strikes in the finals series, led him to being named the A-League’s Young Player of the Year and, as voted by his peers, in its Team of the Year.

And, to his shock and delight, it also led him to winning his first call-up to the Australia squad for tomorrow night's sold-out friendly with England in Sunderland.

“It feels amazing,” Maclaren told the Lancashire Telegraph. “I was shocked (to get the call-up) but it had been a good season on a personal level, and after all my hard work, this is just a great reward to get post of the A-League season.

Lancashire Telegraph:

“It’s been the best season so far. I scored 12 goals in one of my academy seasons at Rovers but to reach 20 goals and set a new record for an Australian player in the A-League is something I'm honoured to have, and this call-up to face England has put the cherry on top.

“Australia obviously face a lot of Asian teams, but it’s rare to play a big European nation and this type of friendly doesn't come around all that often. England played a massive part in my development and I have Rovers to thank for that.

“I loved my four years at Blackburn, I made some life-time mates, and learnt a lot about life outside of football, which has held me in good stead.

“I couldn’t speak highly enough of the club. I still follow the boys I used to play with and it’s good to see some kick on. It’s great to see Grant Hanley is now skipper at Rovers.

“My best memories were seeing the big names who were signed, to name a few, Michel Salgado and Nuno Gomes, but to also have my fellow Aussies Vince Grella and Brett Emerton help me along the way.”

Maclaren has no regrets at leaving Rovers and he has refused to rule out returning to the club in the future if he can continue to deliver the goods for the Roar, who he joined last summer after two seasons with Perth Glory.

“I believe moving on was for the best, sometimes a change of scenery and coach works,” said the Melbourne-born forward, who credits his winning penalty in the Lancashire Senior Cup final win over Preston North End as his Ewood Park highlight.

“It’s nice to see it’s actually worked out really well and I wouldn't change a thing. Hopefully there are more goals to come.

“I still have an ambition to be a first-team player in Europe and the UK would be something I'd be open to, and I love Blackburn, so you never know what the future holds.

“But I will definitely will visit the place that gave me a lot of good years and great memories.”