Confirmation of his selection thrilled Kilkenny, who understood the importance and profile of the Olympics in his home nation, but the resumption of his career with Leeds United left the midfielder asking if a summer in England might have suited him better.

Kilkenny was absent from all but one of United's warm-up matches and missed most of the squad's conditioning work in the lead up to the new season, a factor which he believes has lowered his personal fitness below the levels of his club-mates.

An appearance in China should have compensated him fully, but the trip was not all it promised to be.

Kilkenny played in only one of Australia's three group matches – a 1-0 defeat to eventual winners Argentina – and the squad's base in Shanghai gave them a feeling of detachment from the bustling activity of Beijing.

The Australian players missed the opening ceremony and spent only two days in the Olympic Village and it was with some relief that Kilkenny flew back to Leeds in time to watch their 2-0 defeat to Oldham Athletic last month, United's second league match of the season.

"It was obviously a good experience in China, and one I'll probably never have again," he said.

"The Olympics are a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity but, looking back, I'd say it probably wasn't worthwhile.

"To be honest, I'd rather have stayed with Leeds.

"I didn't play as much as I'd have liked to in China and although the Australia manager (Graham Arnold) told me I was a vital part of the team, he took me there and only played me in one game.

"I want to play football, and that was the disappointing thing for me. I'm not the type of person who'll go to places just for the ride – I would have rather not gone in a way because I didn't play as much as I wanted to and I didn't really feel part of it all.

"It was quite hard to get involved (in the Olympic spirit) because we weren't even in the Olympic village. We were in Shanghai most of the time and we didn't get to go to the opening ceremony which was a disappointment. That's a big thing.

"I'm happy to be back because I'm a home person and Leeds is my home now. This is where I want to be."

Olympic selection can be contentious amongst clubs, who resent the loss of their better players at the very start of the season, but Kilkenny left Yorkshire for China with United's blessing. The only thing Gary McAllister could not promise was an immediate place in his starting line-up on his return.

Kilkenny left behind a large squad containing a vast array of midfielders and Australia's schedule in China was certain to preclude him from United's first two league matches of the season.