Socceroo striker happy to be back at Leverkusen

Leverkusen cut Kruse's season-long loan deal short this week, with the 27-year-old leaving Stuttgart after just three Bundesliga appearances.

Again injuries have played a part in Kruse's lack of playing time, with a toe injury currently keeping him on the sidelines.

"Perhaps I have trained too much in Stuttgart," he told Bayer 04-TV.

"Here in Leverkusen they know my injuries and my past. So I'm in the best hands here."

At Stuttgart, Kruse was teammates with fellow Socceroo Mitch Langerak. 

Kruse added: "I think this decision is for me simply the best.

"I feel very comfortable in Leverkusen and I'm happy to be back and to be able to work again."

Kruse hopes to be back to full training in a week's time.

The former Melbourne Victory and Brisbane Roar striker has played 21 Bundesliga matches and scored two goals for Leverkusen since joining the club in 2013, with a raft of injuries limiting his time on the pitch.

Kruse missed the entire second half of last season with an Achilles tendon injury he suffered in the Socceroos' Asian Cup final win over Korea Republic a year ago. 

"I hope I can be there when they [Leverkusen] need me," he said.

"The coach knows my qualities."