Aaron you got a bit of whack in a Reserve game I understand?

It's okay, I played one reserve game and copped an elbow against Sheffield Wednesday on my top lip.  I required twelve stitches, which are out now. But my ankle's recovered and I probably need a couple more reserve games to get back into the first team squad.

That's good news, but more good news that Australia have qualified for the World Cup

It is amazing and great news and I am over the moon. It's a really good thing for Australian football though, I don't think I will be involved.  It does show that Soccer Australia is moving in the right direction, which should be good for me. I am over the moon that they qualified and I can't wait to go over to Germany and watch them.

You are in the right hemisphere to watch them

Exactly, I will head back over to Australia in the summer but I hope to sneak in a couple of games to watch them before going home.

Because you are involved with the Socceroos will they be able to sort out a few tickets?

I hope so, it should not be a problem but I will have to make a few phone calls

Were you surprised by the qualification?

Not really, I thought we put out a strong side and I had spoken to a few of the guys and they seemed confident going into the game and they did the job over both legs.

Must have been intimidating atmosphere in Sydney for Urugauy ?

It was, with over 80,000 people packed into the stadium, but saying that, going to Montevideo is the last place you would want to go to.  That's where the World Cup first started.  Australia did well to get just a one nil result out there to set up the chance to go through.  We scored a goal and saved a couple of penalties to make it.

What do you think they are going to do?

I would love them to have England in the group stage.  It would be amazing. 

Really who would you support?

Australia of course, I am Australian through and through. But it would be good to see the team do well.  We are not there to make the numbers up and hopefully we will get through the group stages.

Thanks for that Aaron and good luck on your return

Thanks I can't wait to get back

Aaron Downes was talking to Geoff Mitchell  

HEAR THIS INTERVIEW IN FULL ONLY ON SPIREITES

World Cup draw details

With the 32 participating teams confirmed for the 2006 FIFA World Cup" the German city Leipzig is braced for the finals draw on Fri 9 December with a global audience of 320 million expected to witness the event.

The FIFA World Cup organising committee confirmed on Thursday that the draw for the finals, running from 9 June to 9 July, would be broadcast to a total of 145 countries with 850 national and international journalists covering the event.

West Germany's 1990 FIFA World Cup winner Lothar Matthaus, who won a record 150 caps for his country, will be one of eight footballing greats taking part in the draw which will take place on the evening of 9 December.

Germany's female supermodel Heidi Klum will help present the event while Colombian pop star Juanes will provide entertainment. The 32 qualified teams will be drawn into eight groups of four.