One Rams fan launched a search for Zadkovich earlier this month after the former Sydney FC star appeared to have fallen off the planet and ou of Derby County reckoning.

Just over a year ago, Zadkovich had an exciting future with his new Championship club and was on top of the world after scoring Australia's only goal for the Olyroos at the Olympics and earning his first senior call-up.

But instead an injury he picked up the Beijing Games escalated out of control and almost the entire season passed him by, with just a handful of injury-stricken appearances for Derby to his name.

He returned home to Wollongong in April for further treatment on the complicated groin injury and has been on the physio's table ever since.

Now though he is expected back at Derby County tomorrow to finally join up with his team-mates - which included Mile Sterjovski the last time Zadkovich was there - after signing for them 18 months ago.

"Six weeks has turned into a year. Ten games in a year ... it's shit," he told the Illawarra Mercury. "If you asked me during the Olympics how things were going, I would have said it's all looking good.

"It's a slippery slope. I just want to play"

Zadko, 23, now faces a race against time to impress new boss Nigel Clough before his two year contract expires.

He added:"I need to be playing. If it's not right by Christmas, I will play even if it's at 90 per cent because I need to.

"When you're playing there's no better place in the world, nothing better.

"When you're not, there's nothing worse - you miss your family and friends and the best country in the world and you're watching your career slide away."

Zadkovich is expected to touch down in Derby tomorrow.