Kewell says he is 100 percent fit

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CANBERRA, Australia -- Only a few matches into a comeback after 11 months on the sidelines, Harry Kewell claims he is 100 percent fit and ready to fire for Australia in the Asian Cup.

The last time the Liverpool winger played for Australia was on June 22 last year when he scored a late equalizer against Croatia to secure the Socceroos a spot in the second round of the World Cup.

Since then he has been sidelined from club and national duties with foot and groin injuries and only returned for Liverpool's last two matches in the English Premier League and a 30-minute run in the 2-1 Champions League final loss to AC Milan.

Despite the lengthy rehab, Kewell said he had maintained a strict fitness regime.

"I'm 100 percent fit now. I've taken 11 months off to recoup with all my injuries ... but I'm fully fit now and I'm raring to go," he said.

Kewell said he "can't wait" to be part of Australia's first Asian Cup campaign.

"I'm really looking forward to getting this tournament off to a good start."

The Australians go into camp later this week in Singapore on a trip that will include a friendly against the Singapore national team on June 30.

Australia's first Asian Cup match is against Oman in Bangkok on July 8.

Last week, Socceroos coach Graham Arnold said he planned to utilize Kewell in a more attacking role behind striker Mark Viduka during the continental championship.

Usually a left-sided midfielder, Kewell said he was keen to move into a more central role. "It's one of my favorite positions, I won't deny that, and I'm quite sure a lot of players love that position because it's a main position," Kewell said during a visit to Canberra on Tuesday.

"Once we know our opponents, once we sit down and we study them a little bit more, we'll know the formations to play. If I am to play up front or behind or left side that's fantastic -- I mean, I just want to be playing."

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