The 19-year-old was hard at work in the Queensland Roar gym today as he bids to get himself in prime condition for the beginning of pre-season training.

Despite bursting on to the A-League season with a real bang last season, Kruse has never been able to operate entirely without pain.

He has been dogged by a groin problem not uncommon in sportsmen called osteitis pubis. It was first picked up during his time at the AIS and results in groin pain caused by excessive physical strain on the pubic bone.

However, a new set of scans puts the player in the clear and he is now busy trying to strengthen the area.

He told au.fourfourtwo.com: “It has been frustrating although it’s been managed pretty well by me and the staff here at the club.

"But we’ve just had the MRI scans back and it seems to be clear. That’s great for me and now I’m just focused on strengthening work.”

The bad news for the rest of the A-League is that a problem-free Kruse has even more to offer. He said: “I can play a whole lot better.”

While Kruse is working hard getting up a sweat he has one eye on Singapore where a largely A-League squad is preparing for Saturday’s international friendly.

One day he hopes to be among that group but for the time being is left to comfort his best pal who cruelly missed out.

Michael Zullo had been included in Pim Verbeek’s squad, only for a knee injury to force him out.

Kruse said: “Yeah, of course you want to represent Australia and I think it would have been a really valuable learning process to be around someone like Harry Kewell. But as I said, I’m just concentrating on getting into the best condition I can.

“As for Michael, of course he’s disappointed but he has had a fantastic year. He’ll get another opportunity. I think the thing for both of us after our first year in the A-League is not to get carried away.”

Zullo’s absence leaves the Socceroo squad without a single Queensland Roar representative.

If Kruse was the coach, he’d have at least one Brisbane boy in there. He said: “I think Matt McKay’s had a great year, one of the best, if not the best midfielder in the A-League.”