Kye Rowles has paid tribute to the Hearts medical team after confessing even one tiny setback in his injury comeback would have left his World Cup dreams in tatters.
The Australia defender insists he is 100 per cent ready to take on the superstars of reigning champions France in their group opener next Tuesday.
But the 24-year-old admits he doubted his recovery ‘pretty much the whole time’ after requiring surgery to repair a broken bone in his foot sustained against St Johnstone on August 28.
The former Central Coast Mariners knew instantly he faced a race against time to make it to Qatar.
And, after three outings for the Jambos in the space of a week, culminating in a red card against Livingston last Saturday, Rowles has opened up on his fears of missing out.
Asked if he was worried he might not prove his fitness in time, he said: “Pretty much, like the whole time. I had to come back super fast and there’s always a risk of pushing the limit a bit too much.
“I didn’t really have time for even a tiny little setback of three or four days.
“So, hats off to everyone involved for getting me back to a playing level.
“Now I’m fit and ready I’m just getting fitter and stronger every day, and sharper as well, so come next Tuesday I’ll be ready.
“It’s gone from the back of my mind now, I’m 100 per cent ready to go. If I’m chosen, I’ll be ready.
“I'm feeling strong anyway and very fit. The guys (in the medical team) back at Hearts did a very good job at getting me back up to the level I need to be.
“I’m just excited to hopefully get out there and perform the best I can.”
Injury aside, Rowles admits the challenge of trying to stop the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Karim Benzema is the perfect way to sharpen the mind ahead of the Socceroos’ mouthwatering opener.
He added: “Obviously, it's not been the most, I guess, perfect run in for myself, but I know that once I put my head down and get out there I'm not focused on the fitness levels.
“I'm just focused on doing my job for the team and obviously once you get into the game, and you've got the likes of (Karim) Benzema and (Kylian) Mbappe around you, you don't have time to kind of think about how you're feeling and stuff like that.
“You just have to do your job and make sure that they're nullified as best as possible.
“It’s what you dream about as a kid, to be honest. To be able to get this opportunity is once in a lifetime.
“And I can pretty much speak for all the boys here that we're going to grab the opportunity that we will have with both hands and not give anything away, and give it the best crack we can.
“I think it's just an amazing opportunity for everyone involved.”
