Charlie Austin says Robbie Kruse would be ‘brilliant’ for Roar

A former English Premier League striker says he would have loved the chance to play alongside Robbie Kruse in the A-League.

Charlie Austin will play his final match for Brisbane Roar on Friday night. Picture: Albert Perez / Getty Images

Departing Brisbane Roar striker Charlie Austin has urged the club to sign Socceroos great Robbie Kruse.

Former English Premier League striker Austin will play his final game for the Roar on Friday night – against the Newcastle Jets at McDonald Jones Stadium – before returning to Britain for family reasons.

“(It is) The right decision for me and my family to go back to the UK,” said Austin, who is leaving the Roar less than six months into a two-year deal.

“What will be, will be with football. My first and foremost bit is to get my kids and my wife back home.”

Austin, who has scored four goals in 10 appearances in all competitions for the Roar, is confident the club can contend this season, and believes the addition of fellow attacking weapon Kruse will aid Brisbane’s title chances.

Queenslander Kruse, capped 75 times for the Socceroos, has been training with the Roar since the pre-season in his recovery from a serious knee injury which cut short his final season with Melbourne Victory.

It’s understood Kruse is close to re-signing with the Roar, where he started his A-League career back in 2007.

Charlie Austin is returning to England. Picture: Albert Perez / Getty Images

“He’d be brilliant for the group,” Austin said of 34-year-old Kruse.

“I’ve trained with him now for the last three months, and I hope (Kruse’s signing) unfolds for the lads and for himself; he’s been brilliant around the lads and on the training pitch.

“He a great acquisition for the team. You can’t question his experience. It’s well and truly out there.

“Going forward for the Roar, it’ll be a good sign if they can get him over the line, but that’s up to the powers that be.”

Roar coach Warren Moon said the club was “not quite there yet” in offering Kruse a deal.

“Robbie has been very good in training of late and it will come to a point where we will have to make a decision.” Moon said.

"You can see with Robbie why all his managers picked him in national teams because when you see him up close, you see the qualities he brings to a team.”

While disappointed with the departure of Austin, Moon was understanding of the former QPR and Southampton forward’s decision.

“It comes down to one thing and that’s family. Charlie has been honest, open and upfront and we wish him all the best,” Moon said.

Austin intends to finish his Roar career “on a high” against the Jets.

“We’ll be all guns blazing to try and get the three points,” he said.

Meanwhile, midfielder Jesse Daley has left the Roar to join Canadian Premier League outfit Cavalry FC.

“I’m at a stage in my career where I feel I need a new challenge and new chapter, and I’m super-excited to get over to Cavalry and get started there,” Daley said.

Originally published as Charlie Austin says Robbie Kruse would be ‘brilliant’ for Roar