Kewell not frustrated claims manager

While Australia continues its World Cup qualification campaign in Jordan on Wednesday morning (AEST) without the player voted the best ever produced in this country, Kewell remains in England training alone and hoping the phone will ring with an opportunity to continue his career in the country he called home for 14 years before moving to Turkey and then back to Australia for a single season with Melbourne Victory.

Though there has been interest from the Middle East and a smattering of Championship clubs, the sticking point has been Kewell’s salary expectations with Australia coach Holger Osieck fast losing patience with the situation.

But an upbeat Erskine, the celebrity agent who last year replaced Kewell’s long-time manager Bernie Mandic following his switch to Melbourne Victory, insisted that while Osieck may be frustrated with having a key player without a club in the midst of a World Cup qualification campaign, the feeling was not shared by the former Leeds, Liverpool, Galatasaray and Melbourne Victory winger.

“It was Harry who made the decision to leave Australia and return to England (where his mother in law is gravely ill) and I wouldn’t say he is now feeling overly frustrated,” said Erksine.

“There was been interest for Harry from various clubs, but the negotiations from there have not been particularly easy. There has been some game-playing by some clubs.

“As far as I am aware Holger Osieck has not expressed frustration with Harry over the situation and we are continuing to talk with a lot of people (about finding him a club).”

Osieck, who has not named Kewell in either of his last two squads, said last week: “What can you do? You keep hoping that something happens and nothing happens. That is frustrating for the player and myself as well.”

Erskine maintains that Kewell, who turns 34 on September 22, has been training hard with a variety of personal trainers – and also alone - and is ready to resume his career at a moment’s notice.

“Harry has always been unbelievably fit and is working hard to keep on top of things and while it is obviously preferable that he is playing, because match fitness is a different thing, he won’t be far off when the opportunity arises,” he added.

“He knows that there is no substitute though for match fitness and he is very keen to be playing again as soon as he can.”