Culina on the comeback trail

His father Branko Culina confirmed on Christmas Eve that the 59-times capped Socceroos ace has received an early gift from renowned Sydney surgeon Leo Pinczewski.

Culina was last week given a clean bill of health and is free to resume training after being unable to kick a ball this season.

“It’s been a very difficult year for Jason, with two bouts of surgery after his first operation in January, and all the other things that have happened,” Branko Culina said.

“But he has remained optimistic, upbeat and positive. He isn’t dead, he’s still very much alive and the specialist has told him he is clear to get going again and Jason’s delighted with that.

"He has been informed he can start running again next week, which is great news."

PFA launched legal action on Jason's behalf against FFA for failing to ensure he was insured when he joined Gold Coast United in 2009 and then earlier this year Newcastle Jets - who sought in October to have his contract ripped up after he broke down through injury and had been ruled out for the season.

“From Jason’s side of things there was never any danger that he wouldn’t come back, it was others who seemed to decide otherwise without knowing the full facts of his situation," Branko said.

“Jason’s a very determined individual and he wouldn’t have achieved what he has in his career and in his life without being a fighter.

“This is just another hurdle he's looking forward to overcoming. He wants to play for Australia again and I have no doubt he can achieve that.”

Recuperating from a second operation in September, Culina, 31, is undergoing his rehab under the auspices of the Jets medical team.

It’s not known where Culina will continue his career once he returns from injury but according to his father he is just relieved to be able to begin picking up the pieces in his career.

“Jason came back to the A-League at a time when it desperately needed a lift when he was only 28 and at the top of his game,” the former Jets coach, who was axed along with his son, said.

“Some people quickly forget the contribution he made to the A-League when it most needed it.

“It’s wonderful to have Harry Kewell and Brett Emerton back but let's not forget that Jason was the first current Socceroo to return at the peak of his powers and help develop the competition.

“It’s disappointing that maybe when he needed support the most in that difficult period since the injury, and the dispute with the Jets which ensued, there hasn’t been the support you might expect for a player who has given so much for his country.

"He played at two World Cups where he was one of only two players to have played every minute of every game.”

It’s believed Culina's second operation was to straighten his left leg, which was bowed and creating accelerated wear and tear on his anterior cartilage. His surgeon is expecting an outcome that should not hinder his career further.