Date: May 13th 2010
Author: Not Specified
From: Four Four Two Australia

DEAN Heffernan remains upbeat about his international prospects despite the bitter disappointment of missing out on the Socceroos squad for the South African World Cup.

Heffernan had been a potential bolter after his last outing in an Australian shirt drew plenty of praise.

However, it wasn't to be for the former Central Coast Mariner, currently enjoying a stint with promotion-chasing Huddersfield Town in England's League One.

Heffernan and his colleagues are preparing to take on Millwall in the semi-finals of the play-offs.

The winner goes on to Wembley for a winner-takes-all promotion showdown with the victor of the other semi-final clash (Swindon Town or Charlton Athletic).

Promotion would help cushion the blow of losing out on a World Cup spot.

David Carney and Scott Chipperfield got the nodd ahead of Heffernan this week when Verbeek named his initial squad.

"The coach has said he wants players who can cover a couple of positions, which Scott and David can," the Melbourne Heart-bound player told the Huddersfield Examiner.

"Missing out is a major disappointment, especially at this stage of my career, but I've done everything possible to get there, so I have to take it on the chin.

"I'm lucky in the sense that I've played for my country, and I won't give up on trying to win back my place in the squad.

"In the meantime, I'll be rooting for the boys who are going to South Africa, but before that, the play-offs are very much my priority."

http://au.fourfourtwo.com/News/128767,heff-vows-to-bounce-back.aspx