Melbourne Victory forward Robbie Kruse has returned from injury and is back in training ahead of the scheduled restart of the Hyundai A-League.
Victory and Kruse resumed training last week under the newly-appointed interim Head Coach, Grant Brebner.
Brebner is preparing the squad to host Western United on July 16 at AAMI Park and Kruse is keen to be involved in the Head Coach’s plans.
Robbie used the break in the season to get his body right and he has returned fit and raring to go! #MVFC pic.twitter.com/tVYCbgVGi8
— Melbourne Victory (@gomvfc) June 24, 2020
Recovery
“The COVID-19 break probably helped me get my body back to the way I needed,” said Kruse.
“I came late to preseason and then I missed a lot due to injury, so I am kind of playing catch up. This has given me a chance to work on my hamstrings and they’re feeling good.”
Kruse has made 55 A-League appearances for Victory during two spells with the club and has played 11 times so far this season.
“It has been positive for me so far; I am looking forward to getting back to what I love doing. Hopefully I get to play soon,” he added.
Rekindle
As the Australian international continues his return to full fitness, he is also eager to work under the instruction of his former teammate.
“I worked with Brebs 11 years ago when I was here and he played a part in helping me propel my career overseas,” said Kruse.
Kruse and Brebner played together for the 2009/10 and 2010/11 Hyundai A-League seasons, making a combined total of 95 Victory appearances.
“With him [Brebner] retiring not too long ago, he has that feeling of what the players are going through. He understands the circumstances we are under and is not trying to pressure us too much,” said Kruse.
We take a look at Brebs' achievements in Melbourne after making the move to Australia back in 2006 https://t.co/uDZR1Q9uNJ #MVFC pic.twitter.com/Y0HsoZ1NVS
— Melbourne Victory (@gomvfc) June 18, 2020
Restart
Having overcome his own battles, Kruse is aware of the challenges facing the group and has praised the squad’s mental and physical wellbeing.
“It’s good to blow away the cobwebs as it has been a long time – three or four months since we were last training and even longer since we last played,” he said.
Victory’s last Hyundai A-League match was in Wellington on March 15 and the club will soon play a minimum of five games to complete the season.
“Everyone has kept themselves in really good shape and I was quite surprised given the uncertainty around the situation,” said Kruse.
“In true Victory testament, we stuck to what we had been given from the coaching staff and the boys are looking good.”
