Nichols ready for big season

Mitch Nichols is back training with Melbourne Victory after a fruitful stint with the Socceroos and can't wait up the upcoming Hyundai A-League season to kick-off.

Mitch Nichols is back training with Melbourne Victory after a fruitful stint with the Socceroos and can't wait up the upcoming Hyundai A-League season to kick-off.

Nichols made an appearance in all three games with the national side at the recent East Asian Cup, providing plenty of spark in the attacking half of the pitch.

He said he hoped his performances had shown coach Holger Osieck that he was ready to play a part in the Socceroos side in the future.

"You always want to represent your country… I was over the moon to get a game, and then a second game and then a third game and hopefully I've put my hand up for further camps and now it's just good to come back here, do well at the start of the season and hopefully get involved again," Nichols said.

Nichols said he was now looking forward to playing in front of the Victory faithful, having witnessed the noise of the fans as a visitor to AAMI Park and Etihad Stadium as a Brisbane player.

"When you do notice the crowds, and when Melbourne was scoring against you, it was pretty intimidating so it will be good to play in front of them and hopefully we can give them something to cheer about this and look to win the (Championship)," Nichols said.

And with the news of New Zealand international Kosta Barbarouses joining Nichols at Victory, the 24-year-old said he was looking forward to linking up with his former Championship winning teammate.

"He's a good player and he's a good guy - he's going to add a lot to the team and hopefully take his game to another level," Nichols said.