AIDEN O'Neill is hoping to force his way into the Socceroos squad after returning home to join A-League side Central Coast Mariners on a season-long loan.

The Clarets’ midfielder links up with the New South Wales-based club ahead of the start of the new A-League season in October.

O’Neill joined the Clarets from hometown club Brisbane Athletic in 2015 and has made six senior appearances for the club, including three off the bench in the Premier League.

He has also had loan spells in League One with Oldham and Fleetwood Town and was a regular in Burnley's pre-season programme this summer.

But he has now been given the chance to play more regular first-team football with Central Coast, who this summer appointed ex-Claret Mike Phelan as their sporting director, and look to pursue his ambition of playing his way into his senior national squad.

“I’m coming on loan and I want to earn experience. I want to be involved and help the team push forward,” said O’Neill

“If that helps me when it comes to Burnley then great, but at the end of the day I am here to help the Mariners win games.

“A long-term goal of mine is also to break into the Socceroos squad. Moving over to England at a young age makes you grow up very quickly.

“You’re in a man’s world full of very good footballers and you either float or sink, so my time at Burnley so far has been fantastic.”