Newcastle Jets defender Nick Cowburn says he has returned from the Australian Development Squad’s (ADS) spell in Spain ‘confident’ and with ‘a point to prove’.
Just two weeks ago Toronto-Awaba junior Cowburn was given permission by the Jets to travel to Europe with the ADS for a nine-day camp in Murcia that included matches against under 21 sides from both Austria and Finland at the Pinatar Arena.
Cowburn was the only Hyundai A-League based player included in the squad for the camp coached by Josep Gombau, and while he was still managing the effects of jetlag following the long journey home on Friday he is hopeful that the international match minutes that he gained in Spain will translate to game time for the Jets as the regular season winds down.
“It was good to hit the training paddock over there and play some games against international opponents,” Cowburn said.
“To play two 90-minute performances against international teams really helps the confidence.”
“Football-wise (Josep) Gombau has got me back confident and playing the right style of football.”
“Hopefully I can bring that back here (because) I have been out of the squad for many weeks and to go over there and put in some hard work, I have to come back here and apply it now.”
“I have got a point to prove, I want to put my hand up for a (Jets) spot,” he said.
Cowburn said he headed straight to bed after returning home yesterday in a bid to help his body recover sufficiently to be considered for selection in the Jets’ final home match of the season against Western Sydney Wanderers on Saturday.
With selection in another Australian youth camp in May also a possibility, plus the 2018 AFC U23 Qualification process taking place in Myanmar in July, Cowburn is keen to play as much football to remain in Gombau’s mind.
“The feedback that I got from him (Gombau) was sound,” Cowburn said. “These last few weeks (of the Hyundai A-League) if I get the chance to put in some performances I am going to do that and give him no reason not to select me.”
“He has got certain things that he likes from footballers and I just tried to hit every aspect of that.”
“He spoke to me and said that he was happy with the way that I played and the way I progressed over there, so that all I can really be worried about,” he said.
The ADS drew 1-1 with Austria U21 before being defeated by 2-0 by Finland U21. The ADS included players of a wide range of ages, with birth dates ranging between 1995 and 1999.
