Kruse is currently finding his feet with 2.Bundesliga side VfL Bochum after a brief stint with Chinese Super League side Liaoning Whowin where he played just four games.

The 28-year-old is still in regular contention for Ange Postecoglou’s side even when he lacked game time in the past and copped criticism from the fans.

Kruse has enjoyed football in Germany for the past six years, particularly playing 21 games for Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen.

Australia’s upcoming match against Japan in the World Cup Qualifiers sees just three current A-League players making the squad during the domestic off-season.

However, the majority of the squad has played in the A-League and Kruse, a former Brisbane Roar and Melbourne Victory player, feels it has now become a good stepping stone for Australians transitioning into Europe.

“You probably don’t get the respect you deserve in Europe, being an Australian, it takes a lot more time and effort to crack it,” Kruse said this morning.

“Every footballer has the desire to want to play overseas; we had wonderful generations before us who showed us the way forward.

“Sometimes it doesn’t come straight away and you have to grind it out.

“It shows some young players at home that you don’t have to leave as early as you would’ve had to.

 “I experienced first year in Germany, it was really bad, but I stuck it out and didn’t come home, and was rewarded with a move to Leverkusen.

“Things can really work out if you really put yourself into it, work hard, and you’re starting to see players now get rewarded for the work they’ve done.”

Kruse is now getting games with Bochum and says he feels extremely fit for the upcoming qualifier after having a run of injuries.

He also made it no secret next year’s World Cup made it a seamless decision to transfer the second German division.

Kruse said he never entertained the thought of coming back to the A-League last season.

“Australia’s always going to be there for me, so you want to always aspire to be the best you can be and that’s in Europe,” he said.

“I’m fortunate I’ve got a really good name in Germany and the competitiveness and culture there is different to what it is in Australia.

“In saying that the league is still very young, so it’s nothing detrimental to that, but Europe is where you want to be and particularly in a World Cup year I think playing a year in Germany would be beneficial for me.”

Kruse is confident he can play for 90 minutes on Thursday night if needed.