Mustafa Amini is determined to work his way back into first team contention with Borussia Dortmund next season.
The 20-year old Australian midfielder was on the verge of the Dortmund first team early in the new year but sustained a freak injury while on holiday in Tenerife in January.
The former Central Coast Mariners young gun injured his hamstring while on a morning run which essentially ruined his first team chances with BVB which in turn damaged his World Cup prospects with the Socceroos.
Nevertheless, the Sydney native is looking to have a big summer on the training track as he looks to turn his near-30 Dortmund II outings into first team action with the Bundesliga giants.
"The injury was frustrating and very hard for me," Amini told SBS.
"But I now know how important football is to me and that you should never take things for granted.
"I have been out for half the season and been at the gym every day working to get back on the pitch and play the game I love.
"My intention for the new season is to be fit again and be able to play pain-free and get back to where I was before I got injured and that is the first-team squad.
"I want to play consistently next season and after a good pre-season that is definitely achievable."
In addition, Amini's agent Buddy Farah suggested that Dortmund boss Juergen Klopp is an admirer of the Australia U23 international.
"He was doing really well, he was getting good ratings and other German clubs have shown interest in him," said Farah.
"Coach Jurgen Klopp looked him in the eye and told him: 'You're a player of this club and your time will come. Just be patient and you'll become a better player. I'm here and I'm not going anywhere'."
