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Socceroo Harry Kewell says he’s confident of making an impact in the A-League this season despite playing just three competitive matches in the past 15 months.
Kewell kicked off training with new club Melbourne Heart on Wednesday – returning to Australia after he quit Melbourne Victory at the end of the 2011-12 season to head back to England for family reasons.
The 34-year-old was unable to secure a deal in Europe throughout last season, and played just three games for Qatar club Al Gharafa as a guest player before agreeing a return to the A-League.
But Kewell says his body is in good enough shape to deal with a long pre-season leading into the start of the competition in October, and is banking on that to give him the fitness he requires.
“I think I’ve come at the right time. It gives me the opportunity to work hard for three months solid before the season starts to get my body right for game one,” Kewell said on Wednesday.
“Even when I wasn’t playing, I was still working out six times a week. Obviously not to the intensity of a football match, but I kept on ticking myself over.
“If I get a good pre-season, stay fit, I can last up there with the best. The body’s good.”
Kewell is also hoping to win back his national team spot for next year’s World Cup finals, but said playing well for the Heart was his top priority.
“To play good football for the Melbourne Heart, that’s first and foremost. Anything beyond that is a bonus,” Kewell said.
Heart coach John Aloisi, a former Socceroos teammate, said he was unsure of which position he would use Kewell this season.
Kewell said his wife Sheree and their four children would soon join him in Melbourne.
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