The 32-year-old has been out of action with a broken metatarsal for almost 14 weeks – sustained in Germany - and has yet to kick a ball in anger for his new club Adelaide United.

However, the player will meet an ankle/foot surgeon in the next 24 hours with the best case scenario seeing permission granted to start light jogging.

Agostino will then have another scan in two weeks time and hopes that will see his rehabilitation cranked up again.

Whatever the advice though, Agostino is not about to let frustration see him fly in the face of the medical opinion.

No footballer enjoys being sidelined but the summer capture from 1860 Munich only has to imagine the worst case scenario to keep a lid on any temptation to rush things.

“Of course it’s frustrating but I’m experienced enough to realise that you have to follow the advice you are given," said Agostino, speaking to au.fourfourtwo.com today.

“If it means I have to miss the first game or couple of games to ensure I’m available for the rest, then so be it. If you try to rush things and end up breaking down, you can find yourself missing a big chunk of the season and you don’t want that.

“So you just have to think of the possible consequences of not doing what you’re told. At least the foot feels pretty good and so that’s positive.”

Agostino is quite happy for the club to take a cautious approach with him and not being able to take part in full training hasn’t meant a lack of exercise.

He has been closely monitored by the club’s medical staff and then there is the "program" devised at home.

“I think looking after the kids has been my biggest fitness program!” he joked.

Being out of action has also given the Agostino family extra time to get used to their new surroundings after more than a decade overseas.

The welcome he (and the family) has received, has convinced the former Munich man that he was right to go with the gut feeling he had to come home.

“At the time the chance came along I had a gut feeling that it was the right thing to do. It still feels like the right thing to do.

“I’m getting to know the boys at the club, hopefully I can use my experience to help them, and in terms of football here, it has changed. There is a real sense of ‘togetherness’ and the fact that this sport is now being taken seriously here. Added to that, everyone seems really happy to see me home.”

The former Socceroo is also keeping an eye on matters at the Asian Cup and feels it might be a case of "the best is yet to come" from Graham Arnold’s side.

“Maybe it’s just taken them time to really get into it. It can happen in tournaments where teams just get stronger as they go. Hopefully the longer they’re in it, the better they get.”