Emerging Australia midfield star Tom Rogic believes he is close to full fitness in the countdown to next month's 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil. Since making his Socceroos debut in 2012 Rogic, 21, has been considered a star in the making with coach Ange Postecoglou declaring him a "leading light" as he attempts to rebuild the Australia side.
Acting on the advice of Postecoglou, Rogic made the move from Scottish champions Celtic to Melbourne Victory in January in an effort to get more game time. He made only 11 appearances in the A-League and AFC Champions League before a groin injury ended his season prematurely.
But Rogic said he still got enough minutes under his belt and, having trained with Socceroos squad, was feeling close to full fitness. "I came back and played a good amount of games in a short period of time," Rogic told reporters at the team camp. "It was unfortunate to be injured for the last three or four weeks of the season. But I've been training fully the last few days and the last couple of weeks too. So I'm slowly building."
Australia play a warm-up match against South Africa in Sydney on 26 May before heading to Brazil. The Socceroos face the might of reigning world champions Spain, the Netherlands and Chile in Group B and kick off against Chile on 13 June.
Acting on the advice of Postecoglou, Rogic made the move from Scottish champions Celtic to Melbourne Victory in January in an effort to get more game time. He made only 11 appearances in the A-League and AFC Champions League before a groin injury ended his season prematurely.
But Rogic said he still got enough minutes under his belt and, having trained with Socceroos squad, was feeling close to full fitness. "I came back and played a good amount of games in a short period of time," Rogic told reporters at the team camp. "It was unfortunate to be injured for the last three or four weeks of the season. But I've been training fully the last few days and the last couple of weeks too. So I'm slowly building."
Australia play a warm-up match against South Africa in Sydney on 26 May before heading to Brazil. The Socceroos face the might of reigning world champions Spain, the Netherlands and Chile in Group B and kick off against Chile on 13 June.