'No pressure': Socceroos star Milos Degenek not intimidated by China's World Cup qualification threat

Milos Degenek is not intimidated by the "dangerous" threat the Chinese national team poses on the Socceroos hunt for World Cup qualification.

Australia is set to battle for crucial points against China on Tuesday evening as both teams prepare to win an advantage in their quest for an automatic World Cup ticket.

China will be desperate to achieve a victory over their highly-ranked Australian rivals, with the hosts' shot at remaining in the contest for qualification hanging by a thread.

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Australia sit just one point ahead of Saudi Arabia in the second round of Group C's qualification process, while Japan remain atop the table with six wins and one draw.

Tony Popovic's men have had a slow start to each of their qualification battles, having conceded first against China before facing fierce attacking pressure from Indonesia.

China are expected to come out firing against the Socceroos, but the idea of both physical and external pressure did not seem to phase Degenek.

"As a footballer, you want to play in games like this and in stadiums where there are 70-80,000 people," Degenek said.

"You feed off that energy, it motivates you - I think there is no pressure.

"Pressure is something that when you wake up in the morning and you have to provide food for your family: that is pressure. This is just joy and love.

"We are very happy to be able to play in games like this that are of very high importance.

"I think that's why we started playing football - to play in games like this.

"(But) I don't think there is a specific player that I could say is very, very dangerous for us... (or) pose the same challenge as a whole team.

"I think China in general is dangerous because of the way they play.

"Them playing at home poses an extra bit of motivation for them but we are well prepared and know what we have to do.

"We are ready and we want to be the ones that dictate what happens."

Degenek will be looking to make his 47th national team appearance in China, having been recalled to the team for the first time in 18 months.

His inclusion was just one of the several changes Popovic was forced to make due to the significant number of Australian talent currently unavailable due to injury.

In the absence of Kusini Yengi and Adam Taggart, Popovic has recalled Mitch Duke to the squad for the China clash.

The decision to omit the 34-year-old from recent squads left many perplexed as Popovic cited the "style of play" as a reason for favouring Yengi over Duke.

Duke's limited minutes with Japanese club Machida Zelvia also influenced his axing.

Still, his reliability and experience on the international stage influenced Popovic to recall him for the China clash.

"Mitch has come in, he's looking good, sharp and very well accustomed to the Socceroos shirt and what is required," Popovic said.

"We have options in that striker position and we have some ideas that the players are aware of.

"We expect (China) to come out very fast. We have to match that, but we also have to have the confidence and be brave to play the way we want to.

"It's a good challenge. We come into the game with a lot of confidence. We must be prepared to fight really hard as I'm sure China will as well because it is such a crucial game for both sides."