The 21-year-old who starred for the Grand Final winning Central Coast Mainers last season was heavily linked with an off-season switch to English Championship club Bolton and Swiss heavyweights FC Basel. 

Despite speaking with Trotters boss Dougie Freedman and spending 10 days training with Basel a move failed to materialise and the central defender looks set for another season in the A-League. 

Far from downcast the Perth born player said he was desperate to continue his staggering progress of the last 12 months. 

“I have had to re-focus and set new goals and now I can’t wait to get back into it at the Mariners," he said.

“I know this [Central Coast] is a great place for me to continue to progress and hopefully go to a European club in the future.

“I’m at a club at the moment that plays to my strengths, which means I can continue to improve and that was my biggest consideration when the interest from clubs in Europe came up.

“One of the worries I had with Bolton was they saw me as full-back and I see myself as a centre back for now and the future but having spoken to Dougie Freedman he is convincing and I believe he is a man manager like Arnie [Graham Arnold].

“I think going across there he could have helped my performance as a right-back but then again I would have had to start again but it fell through.” 

Having caught the eye of Socceroos boss Holger Osieck and been included in the recent East Asian Cup squad Sainsbury said he was also wary of making a move to the wrong club and jeopardising his National Team ambitions. 

“In camp I got to learn what I need to achieve and what I need to do to become a National team player," said Sainsbury.

“If you are going overseas it has to be to play or at the very least to be on the bench as it is a World Cup year and everyone is fighting for that spot.

“I also know I need to be at a club where the coach wants to develop me and coach me not just have me as a player in his squad.”

Despite having seen many Australians depart the A-League for cashed Asian clubs Sainsbury said it was not a path he was looking to follow. 

He added: “The likes of players going to clubs for money is not really my thing at the end of day.

"If I come away from football with not much money but have given it my best shot and tried to play at the best level possible even if I fail I will know I gave it my all.”