Having signed a two-year deal when he returned to Victory ahead of the 2019/20 season, Kruse is one of four players – the others being Marco Rojas, Migjen Basha and Leigh Broxham – at AAMI Park who are contracted to return next season.

However several of his teammates are believed to have signed contracts with other clubs, including James Donachie who has already confirmed a move to Newcastle Jets.

This potential player exodus is also set to coincide with a new coach after the departure of both Marco Kurz and Carlos Salvachúa during the current campaign.

Interim Head Coach Grant Brebner has already ruled himself out of contention for the gig, who sees his temporary role as a learning experience that will continue under a newly appointed gaffer.

Victory began their search for their next permanent Head Coach in early May, with CEO Trent Jacobs declaring that – despite the challenges COVID-19 presented to recruitment – both international and domestic candidates would be considered for the role.

However, with the A-League set to undergo cost restructuring next season, Kruse says the flexibility afforded by the lack of outstanding contracts could leave Victory better off than other clubs. 

 “The obvious [question around COVID-19] is what impact this is going to have on the salary cap and whatnot for next season," he said today. 

“So in saying that, I think we’re in a better position than possibly Sydney depending on what’s happening for clubs which have full squads and a full quota signed up. It’s going to be difficult if things are changing.

“We have the time to adjust to what’s going to happen in the future and hopefully make the right decisions there.

"With the new coach, it’s always difficult, you want to make sure you get the right person.

“I think the process that the club uses is going to be very important. Obviously this season hasn’t been the greatest on the pitch or off the pitch. I think collectively the club needs to hopefully find the right person to take over.

“You see out there there’s a lot of good coaches out there, you see a lot of new coaches come into the league - Ufuk Talay out there in Wellington – so you can see there are coaches that can produce the goods.

"Hopefully we can get that sorted and he can have a say in the type of players he wants to sign.

“Of course the new coach probably needs to play that attacking football that Victory fans have become accustomed to but it also comes down to the quality of the players.

“I think Victory have always had top-notch payers at the club so I think it’s going to be vitally important that to get the goods and produce that for next season.”

Arriving back in Australia after a decade spent playing in Germany ahead of the 19/20 season, Kruse’s first year back hasn't exactly been the type of glorious homecoming he might have hoped for. 

Though Victory’s best football, unsurprisingly, came when he was on the park, full fitness has been hard to come by for the 31-year-old and he's made just 11 A-League appearances so far this campaign.

His campaign had previously been considered all but over when he suffered a hamstring injury in the season’s final Melbourne Derby in February, with the six to eight-week recovery time effectively closing the book on 19/20.

However, with the COVID-19 pandemic forcing the A-League’s shut down for three months, Kruse has since been able to recover from his hamstring ailment and make himself for available for selection for its belated conclusion. 

Victory will need to complete five games in 28 days as part of the A-League’s plan to rapidly finish its regular season before launching into a finals campaign in August, starting with a fixture against Western United on July 16.

“I’ve had a lot of injuries in my career, mostly serious ones, but this is the first time I’ve had a lot of muscle injuries,” Kruse said.

“I don’t know what’s impacted on that, whether that’s the change in the weather, the pitches or the surfaces, but so far [his most recent rehab has been] really good, I worked hard in the break to get both my hamstrings up to pace.

“In my European career [five games in 28 days] would have been a breeze. But we haven’t played in a long time and I’ve been injured a lot during the early parts of the season so it will be difficult.

“But as a footballer, you’d rather be playing games. For me, I’d rather be playing games than doing the training that we’re doing to get us up to pace – it’s quite tough.

“Physically [come July 16] my hamstrings and body, should be fine.”

Elsewhere, Salvachúa has been appointed as an assistant coach under Kevin Muscat at Belgian side Sint-Truidense V.V.

The Spaniard, who took over Victory after Kurz was sacked in January, resigned from his position at the four-time A-League champions during the league’s suspension and joins Australian coach Luciano Trani under Muscat.

"I'm looking forward to taking up my assignment at STVV, working with the entire team and achieving the goals for the coming season," Salvachúa told the club website. 

“It's nice to be part of such a warm family as that of STVV. I can also work with Kevin Muscat again and that motivates me all the more.”