The Eredivisie-based stopper, who has returned to fitness after overcoming a mystery hamstring injury in recent weeks, is hoping match minutes for his country on Friday morning (AEST) in Amman could revive his fortunes at high -riding Dutch club PEC Zwolle on his return to the Netherlands.
But he must first surmount the formidable obstacle of an in-form Bailey Wright for the right to partner incumbent Matthew Spiranovic at the Amman International Stadium in the clash between Group B leader Australia and a Jordan side which trails it by two points after three games.
Both Sainsbury and Spiranovic were ever presents during Australia’s golden run to AFC Asian Cup triumph in January, playing together for the first time.
But there is no room for sentiment in the mind of coach Ange Postecoglou and with Sainsbury featuring in just one of his club’s last six games, off the bench, he knows he’s in for fight to reclaim his starting spot.
"Bailey is doing really well at club level in the Championship and it puts extra pressure on me, but that’s when I like to perform my best, when I am under pressure," Sainsbury said.
“Not playing minutes is not ideal but at the same time I feel my body is stronger that what it was six months ago. It’s been an tough time, but that’s football.
“The team is fifth in the league, two points off top spot, and the players in my position are doing well and coach can't really change a winning formula.
"It’s upsetting for me because I want to play as much as possible but it’s a team sport. The club knows how well we did at the Asian Cup, and people will watching what I can do here and if I get minutes in the game, that’s all the better for me.”
Sainsbury, 23, revealed the injury which has kept him out of Socceroos' calculations of late and has also set him back at club level, and has not yet been fully diagnosed.
“Because nobody could identify what the injury was, it was sort of hit-and-miss and ticking off the things that didn’t work,” Sainsbury said.
“But eventually they said they would give me strength program to improve my core strength, and I am now I am feeling stronger than I have ever been in my career. I feel quick and all the hard work I’ve put in has started to pay off."
Sainsbury is growing used to what he describes as “strange” injuries and is untroubled by his recent predicament.
“It’s been like that throughout my career. When I was at Central Coast Mariners I had a hip problem which nobody could really tell what it was," he said.
“I broke my kneecap on a sprinkler (soon after signing for PEC Zwolle) and now this. I am getting used to the chaos of it all.
“It’s all about preparation first and recovery afterwards. It’s made me look at myself as not so indestructible I guess.
"When you are youngster you think you can do everything but you get that one injury and it leads to another, and before you know it you are struggling.”
