Newcastle Jets wide midfielder Jeremy Brockie is looking forward to the next few games with the New Zealand national team.
The 23-year old has been capped on 22 occasions by the All Whites and says Wednesday night's clash with Mexico in Denver and the June 5 meeting with Trans-Tasman neighbours Australia in Adelaide loom as good tests for the NZ team.
"We have two tough games against Mexico and Australia coming up but it's great for us to be getting good competitive games against tough opposition," he told tribalfootball.com.
"We have our World Cup qualifiers next June so the more games and the higher quality of games is great for us."
Brockie came back into some solid form at the back-end of last A-League season with the Jets after being sidelined with a foot injury but he has now confirmed that he is fit and firing, off-field as well as on, following his engagement to girlfriend Jessica.
"I had a month off (after the season)," he added. "I had to play a few reserve games and keep training up until the end of March.
"I then played for the national team against China in a 1-1 draw, so during my month off I headed home to spend time with family and friends.
"I traveled around the top of the South Island (of NZ) where I got engaged to my now fiancé Jessica.
"Then the final two weeks I was involved in holiday clinics with young kids which was very successful.
"I'm fit and healthy right now so I'm feeling very good for the upcoming season, hopefully nailing down a first team place, and achieving the goals I have set for myself."
As for things back at EnergyAustralia Stadium, Brockie said it is exciting times ahead of the 2011/12 season after the club made some strong signings in the way of Jason Culina, Byun Sung-Hwan, Chris Payne and Tiago.
"Everyone is working hard and even though the season is still a long way off, we know there's a lot of competition for places this season," he added further. "Obviously it's great news that we have signed some very good players in Jason, Byun, Chris and Tiago.
"Along with securing a few of the local young boys that performed well last season when given the opportunity, we have been told that nobody's place in the first 11 is guaranteed yet so we have to work hard in training and perform in the pre-season games."
And Brockie also reflected on the now-defunct North Queensland Fury - the club he spent the 2009/10 campaign with.
"It's pretty disappointing to see the Fury missing this year as it is a very popular sport amongst the young kids up there," he said.
"It was unfortunate that no one was willing to carry the team on."
