Youngster pledges to fight back after injury.
From having the world at his feet and a trial at Bayern Munich, the last two seasons have been a real comedown for Ben Kantarovski.
Two knee injuries have meant that the midfielder has only played five games since 2011, something that has rather put the stoppers on the momentum of a promising career.
Before his injuries, the Newcastle Jets man, then only 18, had captained the Young Socceroos and been called up to the senior squad. He even attracted attention from the current European Champions.
After almost two years on the sidelines, the 21-year-old is now hoping for an impressive season with Newcastle Jets, aiming to re-announce himself on the world stage.
Speaking to Football Australia, Kantarovski said: “It was extremely frustrating last season when I got injured, especially since I had only played five games since returning from an injury from the previous season.
“But now I have got back into the swing of things and had a really good pre-season and am now looking forward to kick off.
“I am doing what ever I have to make sure that I will not get injured again.
The 21-year-old is planning to take this season one step at a time, but admits he is still focussed on a move abroad.
“My first goal is to fight to earn my spot in the starting eleven. I really want to re-establish myself as a first team player week in and week out and I believe that if I am available to play then I will be able to achieve that.
“It is still one of my major dreams to play abroad but I know that I have to stay injury free and get back into the form I was earlier in my career to get my foot in the door at a big overseas club.
“It was an amazing experience to have had the opportunity to go over and train at such a professional club like Bayern Munich.
“It gives you that extra motivation to work harder and get into a position you can play at a club like that.”
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