Room for Vargas at the back

Vargas ... Waving the flag for Aussie-based players. George Salpigtidis

Vargas is among three uncapped players named in the squad of 24 by national coach Pim Verbeek, but more importantly he is one of just six players vying for spots in the backline.

Verbeek has given captain Lucas Neill and Brett Emerton a breather to recover from hectic seasons in England before bringing them in for next month`s four World Cup qualifiers.

But Vargas still said the call-up for him and nine other A-League players was a sign that Australian-based players were narrowing the gap on the "Europeans".

"I think it will narrow," Vargas said.

"The quality of the players coming through the A-League now, and players coming back (from Europe), I just think it`s a matter of time.

"The A-League is only three years old and it`s improving every year and will get stronger and stronger. Hopefully in a few years we`ll be creeping up to European standards. That`s something we`re aiming for."

Vargas has been in the squad once before, being cut once the European-based players returned for February`s World Cup game against Qatar. But being in contention alone has had special meaning for the 29-year-old defender.

"To get a call-up in the squad for the qualifier against Qatar was unbelievable for me, a great honour. To get called up again is a big deal for me," he said.