AWARD winner Maty Ryan insists he is living the dream as he prepares for two World Cup qualifiers with Australia.

Ryan has been named Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) player of the year for a second time following his 2015 accolade.

Albion’s No.1 picked up the gong in front of his team-mates Down Under after he and midfield clubmate Aaron Mooy made the 25-hour trip following Saturday’s victory over Tottenham.

The Socceroos host Nepal tomorrow in Canberra (10am BST) before they face Chinese Taipei at the Kaohsiung National Stadium five days later.

It was a quick turnaround for Ryan, who has played every Premier League game for Albion so far this season as well as Socceroos’ opening qualifier against hosts Kuwait in September.

But he stresses it is an honour not a chore as he racks up the airmiles – and the awards.

Ryan told The Argus: “I love being a footballer and I am living my dream. I can rest when I retire.

“It’s a privilege to put on the Socceroos’ jersey and represent my country.

“This journey you go on to get to a World Cup, you know when you get there you respect it even more because of all these travels and matches you have to play and everything that comes with that.

“I absolutely love getting on the plane and trying to overcome the challenges.”

Nepal are 161 in the FIFA rankings, Taiwan 125th and Australia 41st. Australia sit second behind Kuwait in Group B having played a game less after round one.

The eight group winners and four best runners-up will advance to the third round of Asian qualifying for Qatar 2022.

Ryan said: “They are qualification games so they are big.

“With every win you put yourself in a better position and I am looking forward to achieving that.”