To see the Mariners latest training session...

The former Perth Glory striker has endured the darkest of injury nightmares during the last three seasons with his right knee causing him to miss huge chunks of competitive football.

But he has resumed light training duties again with the Gosford club and is hoping to show sufficient progress during pre-season for coach Lawrie McKinna to offer a fresh contract.

A cracking start to last season saw him earn a call up into the Socceroos squad for the Argentina friendly in September but no sooner was the match in Melbourne over than he suffered yet more agony.

He felt a needle-like pain and further knee surgery was required and it put paid to his A-League season after barely three games.

Speaking to au.fourfourtwo.com today at the Mariners’ training HQ, the 29-year-old said: “One day I was on the top of the world (Socceroo call up) and three days later I was rock-bottom again.

“I had a bit of cartilage pop off behind the (right) knee-cap, they went in and cut it out and cleaned it up.

“It was gut-wrenching but what are you meant to do? Life goes on and you get on with it. Hopefully it’s all behind me now though.

“I got last year’s pre-season done, had the Socceroo game and then broke down again.

“I had more surgery in November and the surgeon said I had to have at least four months with no running.

“But we’re here now and I just want to concentrate on getting fit and doing well for the Mariners.”

His current contract expired in the last 24 hours and whether he gets the chance to pull on a Mariners shirt again will depend heavily on his progress during the early weeks of pre-season.

He said: “I’ve spoken to Lawrie (McKinna) and Lyall (Gorman) and they just want to know what’s happening with my knee and if it’s going to be fine.

“I’m looking to stay here and they’ve said they want to keep me as long as my knee’s right. I understand, it’s business.

“After the four months I had with no running, I’ve now got a schedule of three months where I have to build up slowly. At the end of that three months, which is in about six weeks’ time, then they’ll probably assess the situation again.”

Mrdja will do everything in his power to extend his stay at Bluetongue and would love to prove a few people wrong in the process.

He said: “It feels like I’ve got unfinished business here. I want to show the Central Coast people something and there’s also a lot of critics out there and I want to shove it back in their faces.”

Mrdja was joined on light training duties today by goalkeeper Matthew Trott, defender Dean Heffernan and midfielder Matthew Osman.

To see the Mariners latest training session...