Sydney's McLean keen to continue ALW rise

The 22-year-old has been unable to force her way into Tony Gustavsson's Matildas set-up, despite being a rock at the back in Sydney's consecutive premiership wins.

Gustavsson has noted the need to strengthen Australia's defensive depth given he has relied heavily on Alanna Kennedy and Clare Polkinghorne, who look set to be the Matildas' first-choice pairing at next year's World Cup on home soil.

Other Matildas hopefuls have been given a shot by Gustavsson but despite being a mainstay of the Sydney side, McLean has yet to earn a chance to represent her country.

"I've never really been in the mix but I would love to be," she told AAP ahead of Saturday's ALW derby against Western Sydney Wanderers.

"I am biding my time and trying to do the right thing.

"I was on a big high at the end of last season and then I was pretty down when I didn't get on any (national team) shortlists or camps or anything like that.

"The under-23s went to the Philippines (and I didn't get picked) so you do get to a point where you don't know where you're going wrong."

McLean only signed with Ante Juric's Sky Blues after being invited to take part in one of their opposed training sessions while playing with NPL NSW side Sydney Olympic.

She hasn't looked back over the last two years, playing every game in a Sydney backline which has boasted the league's best defensive stats over that time.

"I've definitely struggled with confidence and it was a fake it 'til you make it kind of thing for me," she said.

"I still see myself as a bit of an underdog (because of my NPL background).

"Ante fosters that environment where you grow in confidence.

"He's the master of the compliment sandwich, he will give you the constructive criticism and tells you how you can improve and that creates a mentality where you have that belief."

Australian Associated Press