Kruse concedes Brazil dream is over

Socceroos striker Robbie Kruse has conceded his Brazil 2014 World Cup hopes, admitting his knee injury will rule him out of a place at the showpiece event.

Socceroos striker Robbie Kruse has conceded his Brazil 2014 World Cup hopes, admitting his knee injury will rule him out of a place at the showpiece event.

The 25 year old was looming as one of Socceroos Coach Ange Postecoglou-s key weapons before he tore his anterior cruciate ligament while training with his club Bayer Leverkusen.

One of the shining lights in a Socceroos shirt over the last couple of years, Kruse was beginning to shine at club level in Germany, where he netted two goals and two assists from four starts this season.

Despite initial hopes that he could possibly make a return for Brazil 2014, Kruse has now accepted the long-term layoff has ended his World Cup campaign.

"My main objective is to be back next season," he told bayer04.de. "I don't want to go to the World Cup just to sit on the bench, wanting to play.

"If I can't play I don-t want to take the position of another player who can do a better job than me."

Kruse admits the injury has taken an emotional toll but thanked a strong support network which has helped him during this setback.

"It's quite difficult mentally, but I've got lots of support here so hopefully it will continue," Kruse said.

"It was disappointing and I was very upset. I'd been training so well, but life goes on.

"I've got to work hard and try to come back."