Peterborough United's international midfielder insists he's fully focused on helping his club up the League One table
New Zealand international midfielder Matt Garbett has again stated his desire to help Peterborough United climb the League One table.
The 24 year-old was expected to leave London Road last summer, but a hamstring injury not only scuppered a potential £1.7 million to another League One club, but also dashed his lifelong dream of playing in the World Cup Finals.
Garbett’s final pre-tournament game had gone well personally as he starred in a friendly defeat the hands of a strong England side.
Garbett is now fully recovered and, although he impressed in the Kiwi’s 5-0 win in a friendly international against India on Thursday morning, he has yet to perform at his best for Posh. He has yet to start a League One game this season, even though his last gasp equaliser against Burton Albion at London Road in the second Posh game under new boss Robbie Savage rescued a point for his team.
Garbett was interviewed by the New Zealand press corps before today’s international.
He said: “It's no secret that I was probably gone in July. There were things there, and it would have happened.
“But the reality is I'm at Peterborough, and my mind is on Peterborough. I've got to get back playing and I've got to get back performing well for my club. If I'm doing that, then the rest will take care of itself.
"What happened before the World Cup Finals was unimaginable, but I am still young enough to get that far again.
“I watched every game. I was on the couch with my parents at home, literally sending the boys good luck messages in the group chats, keeping in touch.
“I was waking up at 2am, watching all the World Cup games. It was a bit tough at first, but I'm a football fan and you want to watch your team-mates. I was meant to be part of it, and it was only right to support them when I could.”
New Zealand are about to change manager. They were eliminated at the group stages of the World Cup Final after picking up one point in three matches under boss Darren Bazeley. Northampton-born Bazeley was a big supporter of Garbett’s, but he leaves his job at the end of this year.