Injured Socceroos defender Curtis Good is confident he's only a couple of days away from full training as he keeps his dream alive to play at next month's World Cup.
Good sat out the Socceroos first training session of the camp at Central Coast Stadium on Friday afternoon, as the other 13 players who have arrived were put through their paces.
He is expected to do some light running and ball work over the weekend before joining in with the rest of the squad next week.
Good hasn't played a competitive match since he strained his hip flexor on his international debut against Ecuador in March.
The cruel blow is keeping the talented centre-back out of this weekend's Scottish Cup final as his Dundee United side take on St Johnstone.
While disappointed to miss a huge game for his club, it's allowed Good to get into camp with the Socceroos and focus on getting his injury right in time for the farewell match against South Africa on May 26.
"It's definitely a target for me...we've got 10 days before that game so that's my target," Good said from the team's base in Terrigal on Friday.
"I'll have to talk with the physio, but they'll just ease me back in in the next few days to full training.”I've had a long flight from the UK so I'll just take it easy the next few days."
The 21-year-old was impressive before injury forced him off in his debut against the South Americans, forming a good combination with Western Sydney's Matthew Spiranovic.
The former Melbourne Heart man has been on coach Ange Postecoglou's radar for some time, but admits he had some doubts if he'd make the World Cup cut with so little game time in recent months.
"I was always hopeful but you're always going to pick a fitter player over an injured player aren’t you?" he said.
"Any injury is frustrating but especially when you know that you could possibly be going to be World Cup you put a bit more pressure on yourself to get fit.
"When you've got an injury it's always in the back of your mind all day really [that you might not get selected].
"But overall I'm just really happy to get the call up, I'm lucky it came through I guess."
Before his injury Good was enjoying a brilliant campaign with Dundee United in the Scottish Premier League.
It's why Postecoglou has decided to put faith in the youngster as part of a new-look defence for the World Cup against the might of Spain, the Netherlands and Chile.
"Six months ago I never would have thought this would happen, but people's career change so quickly," Good said.
"So you just have to grab the opportunity.
"It’s an important time for us young boys coming up, we've been given the opportunity so you have to take it now and even look forward past the World Cup too."
Send Off the Socceroos
Socceroos vs South Africa, presented by NAB
Monday 26 May 2014
ANZ Stadium, Sydney
Kick-off: 7.30pm
Tickets from $30, including public transport. Buy now!