Bayer Leverkusen forward Robbie Kruse has admitted that his anterior cruciate ligament injury was frustrating but is pleased with his comeback progress so far.

Kruse suffered the injury in training before the start of the second half of the season, and said that rather than aim for the World Cup he would be doing his best to make sure he is fit and firing for the start of next season.

"The first one month is quite boring and long," he told the club's official website. "You've got do all the basics, but I know all the foundations are being laid then and after the first month is done, I can start to get gradually better and better and start doing more things.

"My main objective is to be back next season. 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.

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

Leverkusen are currently second in the Bundesliga.