What has been the reaction of the passionate Turkish fans over the delay?
Most of the stuff has been in Istanbul as it has centered on Fenerbahce. We went away on camp so we did not hear much about it. It was still a pretty crazy time, with people taken into jail including a club president!

Your side Kayserispor were sixth last season. How satisfied were the team with that?
We were doing really well at one point. Going into the mid-season break at the end of December we were second. The second half of the season was a big disappointment, we lost five or six games in a row. That was pretty crazy.

What is the target this season? Breaking into a European qualification place?
Considering we were second last season and the season before we spent time in first position, then yes we should be aiming to at least make Europe this season.

How about you personally, how did you go last season?
I had an operation on my groin and I was out for the first four or five months of the season. I got back and played three or four, played well, but then picked up another injury and returned to Australia for an operation. I am fit now, so hopefully I can contribute more this season.

You spent a few years on the fringes of Premier League football with Newcastle United – how do you reflect on that time?
It was great – the players I trained and played with everyday were amazing. I was there for four and a half years but as a youngster it was very difficult to break into the first team. You have big name players who have been bought for big money in front of you, so it was difficult for young players like myself to get a gig. I could have stayed there but I felt it was best for me to move elsewhere and start playing on a more regular basis.

You are from Adelaide originally, do you still keep tabs on their A-League progress? Would that be the most likely destination should you return to the A-League?
That is still a long, long way off at the moment. Hopefully I have a few more years overseas yet. I try and stay in touch with what is happening. We do not get much A-League coverage over here, so I go on the Internet to see what is happening. As for Adelaide, they have recruited some very good players and they will do well this season.

It is all change for the Socceroos at the moment and there seems like a real opportunity to push for a striker spot – how much of an extra motivation is that for you?
Of course – it is a new era. It is a chance for the youngsters to start showing what they can do. The coach [Holger Oseick] is giving us a chance. I did not get much of a chance under former coach Pim [Verbeek], which was unfortunate. So far things have been good under Holger and he has given me and some of the other youngsters an opportunity. There are definitely spots up for grabs in the squad.   

Is that out-and-out striker role your preferred Socceroo position? Or would you rather be doing a job on the wing?
My preferred position is in the centre as a striker. I am playing as more of an attacking midfielder at my club. While the central role is ideal for me, I just want to be out on the park, so it is not a problem if I have to play out wide. Ideally I would like to play as the second striker.

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