Postecoglou wants Kruse on the park

Feb 18, 2017 - 3:47 AM Australia coach Ange Postecoglou has tabled concerns ahead of the Chinese Super League season, fearful that new regulations will prevent key Socceroos from getting the game time they need.

While seeing plenty of positives in the January transfer window, Postecoglou is wary of the minutes his key attackers will see in a crunch year for the national team.

Two key World Cup qualifiers loom in March, with Australia's path to Russia to be determined either side of June's Confederations Cup.

At the moment, the Socceroos forward line gives him cause for concern.

While Mat Leckie and Jamie Maclaren are going strong, first-choice striker Tomi Juric is yet to cement his first-team position at Swiss club Luzern.

Tim Cahill is firing but a week-to-week fitness proposition at Melbourne City.

And Robbie Kruse and Aposotolos Giannou must now navigate a new rule in China which disadvantages international players.

Chinese Super League clubs are allowed to have five foreigners on their books but field only three at any one time.

For recently-arrived Kruse, the tweak couldn't have come at a worse time.

The 28-year-old started just one game for previous club Leverkusen this season before moving to Liaoning Whowin.

Postecoglou said he hoped Kruse would be given enough game-time to flourish.

"You hope he has got a move where he plays regularly. There are new rules for him (and) Giannou, just to play. There are no guarantees any more," he said.

"That's a bit of a concern, as is (defender Mathew Spiranovic) dropping to the second division with the level of competition."

Kruse, the livewire winger, was a key part of Australia's Asian Cup triumph in 2015 and is a firm Postecoglou favourite.

"He is still in the prime of his career. Robbie, at his best, is more than capable of playing at the highest level. He just hasn't had the opportunity because of injuries and game time," he said.

"This next 12 months are big for him.

"He will either become a key player and take on that experienced role now, or get bypassed by others. That's his challenge.

"I believe he can be a key player in our team, and he needs to be now."

With creative midfielder Tom Rogic ruled out for the qualifiers against Iraq and United Arab Emirates, Postecoglou said James Troisi was a possible replacement.

He said he was happy with goalkeeper Mat Ryan's move to Belgium and defender Bailey Wright's switch to Preston, where he "takes on more responsibility at a big club".

He was also pleased by two moves from midfielders that didn't happen.

"Other positives were things like Jackson (Irvine) and Massimo (Luongo) resisted offers to go to China at this point of their careers," he said.

"Both probably had really attractive offers but choosing a certain path for their career at the moment. From our perspective that's a good thing because they are playing regularly where they are."

Source: AAP