Simon, 26 has spent the last month with his new Korean club in a gruelling pre-season camp since leaving A-League leaders Central Coast Mariners after inking a lucrative deal in the January transfer window.

The camp in Kumamoto, Japan, has featured two sessions a day and training matches.

The forward arrived for his first day at the training camp after the squad had endured a punishing morning run up a steep mountain.

Simon has already scored in training games, but next Tuesday will be a great opportunity to impress against Spiranovic as the striker builds a case for Socceroo selection over the coming years.

“The training and the games are so fast over here so I believe my game will get faster, and with so much training and so many games I will be fitter then ever," he told au.fourfourtwo.com.

“When the opportunity came for me to come to the K-League I thought it would be a great move for my career and a chance to better my game.

“The facilities at Chunnam are excellent and there are some unbelievable players in the squad. I moved to Korea because the opportunity to come here was to good to pass up.”

After six years and 36 goals in the A-League with Central Coast, Simon now has a chance to establish himself in one of the genuine big leagues of the AFC.

The Dragons, who finished seventh last season, kick off their season hosting Gangwon FC on March 4.

Another player with Socceroo ambitions is Simon’s team-mate Robbie Cornthwaite.

The 26-year-old former Red enjoyed a strong first season with the Dragons with local journalists rating him as one of the best imports.

And with a full pre-season this time, the tall defender is again expected to shine in a long season that ends in December.

“Without doubt I'm playing the best football of my career, “ Cornthwaite told au.fourfourtwo.com. “The only way to improve is to train and play. This season in the K-League there are 44 league games.

“Along with a very difficult pre-season it is only going to be a personal benefit to be playing that much.

“You don't have a lot of free time here; it's all about football but for anyone up for a challenge it's a great place to play.”

The K-League has been a hub of activity of late for Australian players.

On the opening day of the season, former Heart and Socceroo defender Adrian Madaschi may mark fellow Socceroo Nathan Burns when Jeju United host Burns’s new side, Incheon.

Ex-Roar defender Luke DeVere’s Gyeongnam are at home to Daejon Citizen while one-time Joey and Sydney FC defender Iain Fyfe’s Busan are on the road at Eddie Bosnar’s Suwon Blue Wings.

Socceroo Sasa Ognenovski’s Seongnam are also away as they face Jeonbuk FC just days after Australia takes on Saudi Arabia in a World Cup qualifier on February 29 at AAMI Park.

The Socceroos match day programme for that match charts the rise of the ‘Asia-Roos’ across the AFC.

Simon added: “I think this trend will continue because Australians have come here and done well and they really like Australians mentality.”

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