Is Mark Viduka finished? I hope not.

It's October and the English season in full flight but "The Duke," Australia's greatest ever forward is back in Australia.

Why? To get treatment on his ongoing injury problem so we are told. Viduka would be the first to acknowledge he is no longer able to run beyond the defence.

And with an achilles injury and with Viduka being a notorious slow returnee to best playing fitness, Viduka could be looking at a very long lay off.

Why else is he here?

If it's a long lay-off maybe recovery in the Aussie spring is better for the soul and body than lying on physio tables in Northern England.

And more worryingly for Viduka his contract with Newcastle is up at the end of this season. If he's not back playing and playing well before March expect to see Viduka on the move again.

Is the best of Viduka now long gone? There's nothing worse than seeing a great striker lose his pace and watch his slow decline.

Just ask Sydney FC fans, and for that matter Adelaide United's as well.