A year ago Asian Cup winner and World Cup finals participant Jason Davidson looked untouchable as Australia’s first choice left back.

Now, he is he fighting to make sure he doesn’t become a forgotten figure on the national team landscape as football’s fickle fates conspire against him.

While Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou has turned to youth in the forms of Brad Smith and his understudy Alex Gersbach, Davidson is quietly rebuilding confidence and continuity in the Eredivisie on loan from Huddersfield Town at struggling Groningen.

The 25 year-old hasn’t featured in any of Australia’s nine internationals this year, and with Bournemouth flier Smith excelling in recent World Cup qualifiers, he knows a recall for next month’s clash against Thailand is probably a long shot.

But the 22-cap defender, who developed a resilient streak as a teenager in Japan learning his craft in a boot camp environment, is digging in and aiming to be back for the 2017 Confederations Cup in Russia.

“One of main the reasons I came to Holland was to play regular football and get myself back into the national team," Davidson said.

“I just want to perform and contribute, and hopefully that can help me win a recall. Obviously Ange is the boss and he picks his squads and I just to need to do everything in my power for him to pick me.”

Davidson says being on the outside looking in is “part and parcel” of being a professional.

“I’ve been quite fortunate up to now in that everything just fell into place with the national team,” he said. "This is my first stumbling block but you can’t just assume things will always go well for you.

“I just need to keep working hard. That's all I can control. Obviously there’s a massive desire to get back. But when, how and if it happens is out of my control and I don’t really think too much about that.

“I just know that if I have a big season this year, then anything is possible.

“The positives from Australia’s point of view are that there are other players now and that Ange has picked and he has widened his player pool.

“You look at other national team and how many good players miss out. It's normal to have competition and if I dwell on it too much it’s going to bug me, and that’s only going to bring my performances down. For me, it’s about keeping a positive mind-set and staying fit.

“My main aim is to make sure I get picked and play at next year's Confederations Cup. We will see what happens.”

Davidson acknowledged that his national team exploits have superseded those at club level over the past two years, explaining: “It’s been strange because I have been more successful with the national team than at club level recently. And that’s something I am trying to change, so I can balance it out

“It’s hard because I have been all over the place at club level and never really found my feet in England.

"In Holland, I know the league and how they love attacking fullbacks and I am playing my own game, and I am happier on and off the field.”

Though Groningen is third bottom - with six points from eight games - Davidson has impressed in his six games so far, and is fit again after an ankle injury for Sunday’s (AEST) derby against local rival Heerenveen.

“I have found my feet and quite quickly and I am very comfortable here,” said Davidson, who is his second stint in the Netherlands after previously playing for Heracles Almelo from where he moved to West Brom and then the Terriers.

“Groningen is a team that is expected to be in the top half of the table and the start hasn’t been the best," he said. "But we have a decent squad and I think we just need a bit of luck to turn things around.

“I am happy and my family loves it here. It’s been a good move.”

Davidson holds no grievances with Huddersfield manager David Wagner for loaning him out, declaring: “I am still at Huddersfield player. They are top of the Championship and I am happy for them. To see them doing well is fantastic.

“I found it bit tough there, my family wasn't that happy and I think that affected my football a little bit. I am on a fresh adventure now and I am really enjoying it.”