Socceroos coach Tony Popovic is excited to see what a "maturing" Nestory Irankunda can now offer on the international stage after giving the teen sensation his first call-up in 10 months.

Irankunda's hot start to life at Watford has delivered a recall for the Socceroos' 'Soccer Ashes' friendlies against New Zealand in Canberra next Friday and Auckland three days later.

The 19-year-old headlines a youthful, next-generation squad, with Portsmouth breakout sensation Adrian Segecic and fellow young talents Noah Botic and Nicolas Milanovic also called up.

It is Irankunda's first call-up under Popovic since playing China and Japan last October, having been overlooked for the past three windows as Australia sealed direct qualification for the World Cup.

Irankunda, who moved from

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