It's a year since Baichung Bhutia expressed his desire to retire from international football, but it seems India's head coach Bob Houghton has rekindled the striker's passion for the game.
Bhutia, the veteran in the team, was one of the most energetic men at the pre-season camp in Gurgaon and Houghton believes the stint will help the football ace excel during the loaded international schedule the coming season.
"A player of Baichung's age and seniority needs a good pre-season to be fit and ready when the big games come," the Englishman said.
"The effort that he has put in at the camp gives me the confidence that Bhutia will be in good form when it matters."
After the two-week long training camp, the 25-strong squad left for a pre-season tour of Portugal. On return, they will play the ONGC international tournament in Delhi in August, followed by the first professional football league in the country, starting September 30.
There is also the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) championship in Colombo and Male in December.
Next year will see India participate in the AFC Challenge Cup and three World Cup qualifiers against yet undecided opposition.
Last year, Bhutia had said he wanted to retire from international football to give more opportunities to youngsters but the All India Football Federation asked him to continue in national interest till the Doha Asian Games.
The Sikkimese striker had taken up a contract with a news channel during the World Cup and Houghton felt it was not an ideal preparation for a football season.
"Sitting in a studio for long periods of time does no good to a footballer and it showed in Baichung's less than brilliant performance last season," the coach said.
Bhutia scored only five goals in the National Football League for Mohun Bagan which was a major reason for the Kolkata giants finishing as low as eighth.
The much-hyped strike combination of Bhutia and Brazilian Jose Ramirez Barreto also failed to set the stands on fire due to lack of understanding and fitness woes.
However, the national captain ended the season in style, scoring a spectacular hat-trick against NFL champions Dempo Sports Club in a 4-0 demolition in the Super Cup.
"I will not pay too much attention on how a player of Baichung's stature performs for his club. His lack of form may be due to several reasons -- he may be unfit, unhappy with his role in the team, dissatisfied with the club management or lack of supply from other players on the field. If he is fit and available, I will always have him in my side," Houghton said.
Bhutia himself felt the fortnight-long pre-season camp was an important step for him and other players to prepare for the hectic schedule.
"Players are coming back from a four-week break and the camp is a good way to prepare for the season. We also need time to develop different combinations to do well against different opposition.
"We need to do well and be competitive in the practice games in Portugal by playing our natural game. It will boost our confidence for the coming season," he said.
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