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He was a late call-up for January's Asian Cup but Socceroos striker Apostolos Giannou is wasting no time for Thursday's World Cup qualifier against Nepal.

Last man to arrive for Australia's Asian Cup campaign, no-one can accuse Socceroos striker Apostolos Giannou of being tardy for this week's World Cup qualifier.

Giannou was the first player to arrive in Canberra on Monday ahead of Thursday's clash with Nepal as he aims to force his way into Graham Arnold's starting XI against the Group B minnows.

It's a different situation to his arrival at the Socceroos Asian Cup camp in January when he was an 11th hour call-up before the tournament got underway.

"It's a big plus for me to get in quick and to try and sort out my body and the time change so we can be ready to do what we have to do on Thursday and the next game," Giannou said.

The towering forward played four of Australia's matches in the Asian Cup but was an unused member of the squad for last month's qualifying opener in Kuwait as the Socceroos strolled to a 3-0 win in the Middle East.

Giannou's last appearance for his country on home soil was as a right winger in a 1-1 draw with Japan in Melbourne during Australia's last World Cup qualifying campaign.

Plying his trade in Cyprus these days, he signed off before leaving for Australia with a goal in AEK Larnaca's 5-1 win over Ethnikos Achna.

The Greece-born 29-year-old will have family travelling from Melbourne hoping to catch a glimpse of him in action at GIO Stadium.

"When I landed here I realised how much I actually miss being home," Giannou said.

"It's a big plus being here. I haven't seen them in a while. Be great to catch up and for them also to be at the game."