Kewell considered quitting
Australian international Harry Kewell
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Thursday, 28, Jun 2007 08:07
Liverpool midfielder Harry Kewell admits that he considered calling a premature end to a career which has been blighted by a succession of injuries.
The 28-year-old Australian international, who has endured various injury battles throughout his time in English football, says that he was tempted to resist the urge to call time on his career because of support from family and friends and the coaching staff at Liverpool.
"I had a strong team behind me, strong family behind me and I had fantastic people with me 24/7," Kewell said.
The former Leeds United player has endured a catalogue of injuries since he joined the Reds, including missing the majority of the last Premiership campaign after having to withdraw from Australia's World Cup run last year because of septic arthritis.
Returning for three games before the end of the 2006/07 season, Kewell was unable to make a difference after coming on as a substitute in Liverpool's Champions League final defeat to AC Milan last month.
Enjoying his first pre-season training in a couple of seasons, however, Kewell described the process as "hard work" but said that he feels "great".
Despite currently feeling stiff due to the exertions of the pre-season, Kewell intimated that his extended absence from the game may prove beneficial to his future in the long-term.
"It's rested my body physically and mentally," he said, adding: "I'm ready now for the new challenge."