Four years after Harry Souttar returned from injury to star at a World Cup, all the signs point to the towering defender repeating his heroics.
The Socceroos' man mountain famously returned from an ACL tear to deliver a 2022 campaign that earned him a move to the Premier League.
In his first two Socceroos performances since returning from a torn Achilles, Souttar has shown form that will give Tony Popovic great confidence ahead of the June 13 (June 14 AEST) World Cup opener against Turkey.
Wearing the armband for the first time, Souttar delivered a captain's performance to be proud of in Australia's 1-1 draw with Switzerland on Saturday (Sunday AEST).
The commanding centre-back repelled Swiss attacks time and time again.
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"He was outstanding," Popovic said.
The coach is adamant a training camp in Sarasota set Souttar up for success.
"Harry has had that time with us, and he keeps getting stronger and stronger, which will certainly benefit for us next week," Popovic said.
Souttar never had any doubt he could get back.
"I wish I was fit for longer than I have been with injuries, that would be my number one thing," Souttar said.
"I know how hard I've worked to get back here - twice as well.
"So, like, I've done it before. I knew going into the injury what I had to do to get back to this level.
"So with the amount of work that I put in, no, it doesn't surprise me."
Right wing-back Jacob Italiano has only played twice with Souttar but watched his Qatar heroics from his couch.
"He's a man mountain down back there," Italiano said.
"He wins everything. That definitely helps. He's always talking, he's controlling everything. He's really good, a big help back there.
"He's organising everything in front of him, to the side of him, all the messages are coming through, and it really helps.
"... He had a monster performance last World Cup, and hopefully he can do the same this one."
Fellow central defender Cameron Burgess described Souttar as "massive".
"I'm so happy to have him here and he's a big part of our team," Burgess said.
"He's an imposing figure and a big part of how we play."
With Maty Ryan sitting out and Jackson Irvine a substitute, 27-year-old Souttar relished becoming the Socceroos' 66th captain.
"It was a massive honour. I didn't really know beforehand, just got told it pre-match," Souttar said.
"An honour obviously following on from the lads that have won it before, some unbelievable names."
