Updated
Harry Kewell says he is 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 matches for Qatar club Al Gharafa as a guest player before agreeing a return to the A-League.
Kewell says his body is in good enough shape to deal with a long preseason 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," he said.
"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 preseason, stay fit, I can last up there with the best. The body's good."
Kewell is also hoping to win back his Socceroos' spot for next year's World Cup finals, but says playing well for the Heart is his top priority.
"To play good football for the Melbourne Heart, that's first and foremost. Anything beyond that is a bonus," he said.
Heart coach John Aloisi, a former Socceroos team-mate, says he is unsure of which position he will use Kewell this season.
AAP
Topics: soccer, a-league, sport, melbourne-3000
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