Santalab came off the bench to get the final goal in the 3-0 win by Wanderers over Canberra FC at Deakin Stadium on Tuesday. He is now hoping to be included in the squad for Tuesday's FFA Cup round of 16 match against Palm Beach Sharks at Cbus Super Stadium.
Asked if he was wearing any sort of protective brace under his jumper in games, Santalab told The World Game: "No, not at the moment. I'm feeling good, so there's probably no need to wear anything. That's the advice from the surgeon. Things are good, so I'm very happy."
Santalab said his rehabilitation had gone well and that he was now ready to get more minutes in games.
"After we won the Asian Champions League I had to have my first shoulder operation and then I got basically a whole new injury to the same shoulder four weeks after my comeback from that," he said.
"They said the two injuries weren't related, which was a shock to everyone. Now we've done everything possible to make the shoulder strong again and I'm feeling great now. All I can do is continue on with things and not think about it.
"I started training well before the rest of the team came back for this season, so I've been going for two-and-a-bit months. I've worked very hard over the last seven-and-a-bit months, starting with the rehab, and I'm ready to go.
"It was nice to get some minutes against Canberra. It had been a while, so it was good for the confidence. Scoring a goal made it even better.
"I played about 30 minutes in the second half. It was a good performance and a nice win. It doesn't matter who you play against - it's always nice to win.
"I scored with my first touch, which was a bit of a surprise. I'll take that. Jaushua Sotirio crossed into the box and I put it away. It was a very nice feeling to stick one in the back of the net again.
"I've got no idea what team 'Popa' (Wanderers coach Tony Popovic) is picking for the FFA Cup game. He keeps his cards close to his chest. All I can do is train well every day and it's up to the boss for selection.
"But I feel great and I'm ready to go, so if I'm selected I'll be very happy."
Strikers Tomi Juric and Kerem Bulut departed Wanderers at the end of last season and the club subsequently signed Italian striker Federico Piovaccari.
Asked how he saw himself fitting into the side in the new season, Santalab replied: "It's obviously out of my control. I'm just a player. We do have a new-look squad and after last season, which was on our behalf disappointing overall, we're obviously looking to improve.
"The only way to do that is to train hard and give our best, week in and week out, in matches and that's all the coach has asked from us.
"It's great to have competition for places and if someone is starting in front of me and I'm coming off the bench, or if I'm starting, for me it's a team game and over the last two-and-a-half years I've started nearly half the season and been on the bench the other half.
"During that time we won the ACL and made the grand final, so I'm happy.
"It's not about the individual aspect of it, it's thinking about the collective and the team, and whoever starts it's their job to do well while they're on and whoever comes on it's their job to take that place and be ready to go.
"I'm very flexible around that. It's the boss's decision at the end of the day and I adjust myself to whatever situation I'm in.
"I'm happy to play anywhere across the front line. I'm very proud to be a part of Wanderers and any time I'm on the pitch I'll give it my all."
