"I believe if you're in form you have the chance; Ange has said that in previous meetings," Burns said of his recall. "So I definitely believed that it was a possibility but I didn't rely on that. It's massive to be called up; it's good on a personal and club level."
Some credit for his recall must go to Phoenix coach Ernie Merrick, who has given Burns a roving commission for Wellington this summer - and he has responded in the best possible fashion.
"He's a good coach and we are playing a good style of football, which helps a lot," Burns said. "It gives you that freedom to play an attacking brand of football that I want to play so it definitely helps with the way Ernie's coaching at the moment. And he's still pushing me and doesn't give me any days off."
The call-up also shows Australian players they can push on to international football from the Phoenix after many believed they would be out of the thoughts of those who mattered if they played in Wellington.
Burns is one of seven A League players named in the squad. Sixteen of the group went to the World Cup in Brazil this year.
The only minor issue for the fourth-placed Phoenix is that Burns will miss next week's A-League games against Adelaide in South Australia on January 31 and the Brisbane Roar in Wellington on January 4.
He will be available for this Sunday's home clash with the Western Sydney Wanderers before he joins the Australian camp.
Australia begin their Asian Cup campaign against Kuwait on Friday, January 9, while they will also meet Oman and Korea in pool play at the 16-team tournament.
Terry's first goal of season helps Chelsea restore lead
John Terry scored his first league goal of the season to help Chelsea beat Stoke 2-0 yesterday and restore their three-point lead atop the Premier League.
Terry put his side ahead in the second minute with a powerful header from a corner.
Cesc Fabregas doubled the lead in the 78th to make sure Chelsea re-established the gap to second-place Manchester City.
In between, it was a feisty and physical game at the Britannia Stadium, and Stoke's Phil Bardsley was lucky to escape with a yellow card for a reckless tackle on Eden Hazard in the 20th minute.
"A victory means a bit more than the three points," Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho said.
"We won in one of the most difficult places to win."
Mourinho's side could have had more goals, as Diego Costa was unable to finish off a couple of good opportunities.
But they were generally very much in control throughout the game, showing their ability to cope with a combative Stoke team.
Stoke beat Arsenal 3-2 at the Britannia Stadium, and won by the same scoreline against Chelsea at home last season.
Stoke are 13th in the table after 17 games.
Chelsea, meanwhile, are hoping to continue the trend that the team that tops the standings at Christmas goes on to clinch the title.
Seven of the last 10 leaders at Christmas did so, including Chelsea in 2004-05, 05-06 and 09-10.
"What we did in the past is not important," Mourinho said. "What's important is this season, and this season we are top of the league since day one and we are there because we are playing really well."
- AP
