Sandro considered retiring earlier this year after suffering a nasty knee injury - but one thing the now-fit Tottenham midfielder refuses to contemplate is missing out on Brazil's World Cup squad.
The 24-year-old sat out the remainder of the 2012/13 campaign after tearing an anterior cruciate ligament in January's 0-0 draw at QPR.
The timing could not have been worse for Sandro, who went under the knife just four days before Luiz Felipe Scolari announced his first squad since returning to the Brazil helm.
The defensive midfielder has not featured for the Selecao since the injury, but has impressed for Andre Villas-Boas' side after returning to action in late August.
Sandro cannot stop smiling when talking about playing again, although shows a more steely side when it comes to his chances of a World Cup call-up.
"It is nice to be involved again with every game," he told Press Association Sport.
"I was out for a long time but I feel happy, feel good again and it is nice to keep winning. Now the World Cup is coming and I have to be there.
"I have to play here, I have to come back to full fitness and come back 100 per cent. Why not?
"I have the confidence but I have to keep it because the coach there has his team already.
"He has played nearly one year of games as manager and won the Confederations Cup.
"I keep hope for the World Cup. I have to be there."
Such determination to succeed bodes well for Tottenham as they look for success on domestic and European fronts.
Spurs face Hull in the Barclays Premier League on Sunday, when Sandro will hope to feature again having started Thursday's Europa League win at Sheriff Tiraspol.
"In the beginning it was hard," he said of the clash with the Moldovan champions. "I think it was another good win, clean sheet.
"We have to keep it going, to keep winning.
"The game was not easy. Every game is hard to win and we have to prove ourselves on the pitch.
"We did that, so now I think about the Premier League. We have to win at home.
"It is another hard game. Another team with a good squad.
"We have to push. We know it is going to be hard, but we know we just have to keep playing like the games before to win the game."
The clash with Hull will also see a familiar face return to White Hart Lane for the first time since leaving in the summer.
Tom Huddlestone joined the Tigers in search of regular first-team football, having become a popular figure at Tottenham during his eight seasons there.
The midfielder still has a lot of friends in north London and, while Sandro is one of those, he will not be giving him any particular welcome.
Asked if he will text him before the match, Sandro said with a smile: "No, but will kick him if I play.
"We had a good friendship. I like him. It will be good to see him again, playing against me and against Tottenham.
"I think it will be a hard for him at first because he did well here and spent a lot of time with Tottenham. When the supporters see him, it will be nice."
Source: PA
