Trent Sainsbury impresses at Socceroos training amid injury fears heading into World Cup

TRENT Sainsbury is yet to play for his new Swiss club Grasshopper Zurich having had groin surgery after the World Cup playoff win over Honduras, but he appears to be timing his Russia 2018 run to perfection.

Australia's Trent Sainsbury celebrates after Australia defeated Honduras in their 2018 World Cup qualification play-off football match at Stadium Australia in Sydney on November 15, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / William WEST / -- IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE --

TRENT Sainsbury appears to be timing his Russia 2018 run to perfection, removing fears about his groin by completing the full session with the Socceroos.

Sainsbury is yet to play for his new Swiss club Grasshopper Zurich having had groin surgery after the World Cup playoff win over Honduras, but was among the 22 players who trained fully in Bert van Marwijk’s first full session.

Van Marwijk cut a focused, albeit sometimes jovial figure who was not scared to get his hands dirty at a freezing Intility Arena in Oslo ahead of Saturday’s (AEDT) cash with Norway.

The 2010 World Cup finalist directed traffic at his maiden session alongside his new entourage, which included Dutch great Mark van Bommell and fellow assistant Roel Coumans, who took charge of warm ups.

Australia's Trent Sainsbury celebrates after Australia defeated Honduras

Long-time Socceroos assistant Ante Milicic, who was the chief drill sergeant under the previous regime, observed closely with van Marwijk more hands on than predecessor Ange Postecoglou, who hovered like a helicopter but seldom spoke during sessions.

Van Marwijk was one of the first out and set out some cones before addressing the players.

Only Celtic’s Tom Rogic and Suwon Bluewings defender Matt Jurman, who is the only other player under a fitness cloud along with Sainsbury, were absent from the 26-man squad, while James Troisi (Melbourne Victory) and Tomi Juric (Luzern) walked laps having played within the last 32 hours.

Everyone was keen to impress Bert van Marwijk in his first

“It’s the first game together with the new coach so everyone wants to impress. It’s going to be pretty competitive at training,” Western Sydney full-back Josh Risdon said.

“Everyone’s going to want to play these two games to make a good first impression. So that’s good for the team, training will be sharp and get us ready for the games.”

The Socceroos’ session was uncharacteristically upbeat with the players roaring their completed passes.

But aware that every day is precious, van Marwijk was not afraid to pause and correct when he was not content, including a subsequent passing drill that got sloppy.

The 45-minute session was sharp with van Marwijk reinforcing his key messages of “passing with speed” and “concentrating on passes” before instructing his players to “use initiative” and send a message with their pass.

It was difficult to glean anything with regards to team selection, with three more sessions left before Saturday morning’s (AEDT) friendly against Norway, before the second match against Colombia on Wednesday week.

Van Marwijk certainly got enough across in his first session to signify that he not only means business, but the Socceroos will continue to play a passing brand of soccer.

Originally published as Trent Sainsbury impresses at Socceroos training amid injury fears heading into World Cup