Japan and Yokohama F Marinos striker Tatsuhiko Kubo has admitted he thought a long-term back problem and a succession of other injuries might end his career.
Kubo, who has not pulled on a national team shirt since September 2004, is set to mark his international comeback in Japan's friendly away to the United States on Feb. 10.
With coach Zico fretting over his side's problems in front of goal four months before the World Cup finals, the return of the silent but deadly marksman could hardly have come at a better time for the misfiring Asian champions.
But Kubo, who was shaken by an accident involving his youngest daughter just after his comeback with Yokohama in April last year, thought he may have to hang up his boots for good.