‘Better and better’: The scary message to Leeds United, Sunderland, Norwich City & Co ahead of Portsmouth’s Championship return

The Championship has been warned Kusini Yengi is becoming a more powerful force as he prepares to wreak havoc on the second tier.

Socceroos boss Graham Arnold is convinced the Pompey striker is going to grow as a physical wrecking machine next term.

And that spells bad news for Championship defences, as the striker steps up after his impressive maiden campaign at Fratton Park.

Yengi made his mark for Arnold’s side with a two-goal salvo to help them to a 5-0 World Cup qualifying win over Palestine yesterday.

It was an impressive showing from the 25-year-old in Adelaide, with his performance earning plenty of plaudits as he also played a key role in another of his team’s goals in the rout.

Arnold told how Yengi had some reservations about his display, however, which his head coach echoed as he grabbed his eighth cap.

But his boss sees plenty of development ahead for the arrival from Western Sydney Wanderers last summer - and that means danger for Pompey’s rivals next term.

Arnold said: The kid is very, very honest and nailed his own performance.

‘He did well, scored two goals and assisted with a couple, but there was some sloppy moments where they turned over possession and a better team could have hurt us.

‘But he’ll learn from that and I’ve always been a fan of his.

‘When he was at Adelaide I could see he had that strength, power and ability. It’s just going to grow and grow.

‘He’s going to play 60 games next season in the Championship with the cups included, so he’s only going to get better and better.’

Yengi is now on a run of four goals in three outings for Australia, after bagging a fifth-minute penalty and following it up with some quick feet before burying his second before the break.

There is now a growing feeling on the other side of the world, the Adelaide-born talent is establishing himself as his country’s first choice number nine.

Arnold warned, however, competition is fierce, after his side made it six wins from six in World Cup qualifying.

He added: ‘I think the boys are getting used to what we want, but there’s depth and they know when they get a chance they have to take it - because there’s other players breathing down their neck to get that position.’