Caltex Socceroo striker Robbie Kruse is back in a positive mindset after a horror tackle last time out for the national team threatened to derail his career yet again.
Kruse, 27, says he feels lucky he only had ten days out after a shocking tackle against Jordan in the second half had him in agony on the Allianz Stadium surface in Sydney.
Till that point the Bayer Leverkusen striker had tormented Harry Redknapp’s Jordan with the Socceroos going on to 5-1 win in World Cup qualification on March 29.
It could’ve been much worse for a player who knows all about long-term injuries having been unlucky enough to have suffered more than his fair share.
“It was a very positive outcome [being out for 10 days].
"It was a difficult time but it gives me great confidence that my body can handle stuff like that,” Kruse told reporters on Tuesday in Sunderland.
Gallery: Caltex Socceroos get to work in Sunderland
“I was really happy with my performance [against Jordan].
“And I’ve played a lot more games with Bayer [Leverkusen] at the end of the season and I’ve performed quite well so hopefully I can carry that into the game on Friday [Saturday morning Australian time].
“I feel really, really fit. Going by my results in my GPS I was top notch in my last Leverkusen game and in the last game for the Socceroos I was really good.
“That’s the basis for me to know I’m at a top standard in my fitness... my game’s based on working hard and making a lot of runs, deep runs, and I felt my speed is back to where it was before my first injury.”
Kruse says performance and a favourable result are the aims going into Friday night’s friendly with England at Sunderland's Stadium of Light.
“Obviously we take great pride in our performances in how we play and how we win.
“The boss has implemented that so hopefully we can play an attractive style and hopefully the result comes with it.”
Preview: England v Caltex Socceroos
And after six years in Germany and one year left on his Leverkusen contract, an eye-catching display against the English could be the catalyst for a future move away from Germany.
“It’s a massive window for all of us this game [against England] to show what we’re capable of individually and as a team.
“Germany is a big part of my career and I’ve loved it there. But obviously I’m open to another adventure.”
The Socceroos trained on Monday at Sunderland’s Academy of Light and have been through a couple of video sessions since starting this week’s camp.
Kruse described Tuesday’s session as much more intense.
“There are a lot of new faces. Hopefully they’re getting used to the style we want to play.”
Friday night’s friendly at the 46,000-capacity Stadium of Light is sold out.
