A few days ago, Hakeem al-Araibi struggled to walk in leg-irons as he arrived at a Bangkok court to face extradition proceedings brought by Bahrain.

Key points: Mr al-Araibi was arrested at Bangkok's international airport in November when he flew from Australia to Thailand

Mr al-Araibi was arrested at Bangkok's international airport in November when he flew from Australia to Thailand Bahrain has accused him of vandalising a police station during 2011 anti-government protests

Bahrain has accused him of vandalising a police station during 2011 anti-government protests He denies the charges, saying he was playing in a televised soccer match at the time of the incident

But as he sits in a Thai prison waiting for his next court hearing in April, the Melbourne-based refugee has embarked on a training routine behind bars — doing push-ups and running without shoes.

The 25-year-old, who fled criminal charges related to the 2011 Arab Spring protests against Bahrain's Government, is refusing to give up on his football career at Pascoe Vale, despite grave fears he could be forcibly returned to his homeland and may never see Australia again.

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"Tell them I'll be strong, ready to play," Mr al-Araibi told former Socceroos Captain Craig Foster, who visited him in prison on Tuesday.

Pascoe Vale said it had already signed Mr al-Araibi for the 2019 season and his football shirt was ready.

"Tell him we are waiting, we registered him today," the club posted on Twitter.

"He is No 5 on the team sheet and his shirt is waiting."

Mr Foster said Mr al-Araibi had been buoyed by the overwhelming support for him in Australia, and was aware of television reports of last weekend's rallies in Sydney and Melbourne, calling on Thai authorities to stop the extradition case and allow him to return to Australia.

However, he expressed fears for his wife's safety in Melbourne, Mr Foster said, as she was struggling without him.

"He's extremely worried about his wife. That's his main focus now," he said.

Some Thai media blurred out the shackles on Mr al-Araibi's feet in photos of his arrival at court. ( Reuters: Jorge Silva )

"He clearly has no confidence in Bahrain, or its ability to reach its tentacles out around the world.

"She left Thailand because she felt unsafe."

Push to ban international soccer games in Thailand

The footballer was arrested at Bangkok's international airport in November when he flew from Australia to Thailand with his wife for a honeymoon.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Tuesday again called for Mr al-Araibi to be released and sent back to Australia, saying he was "disturbed" to see photos of the 25-year-old in shackles as he arrived for a court hearing earlier this week.

Mr al-Araibi's bail was rejected in a court in Bangkok. ( Reuters: Athit Perawongmetha )

The Thai Foreign Ministry has updated a statement on the case, which it described as "involving two countries competing for Mr Hakeem's custody".

It said Thailand only became involved "by chance" after a police bureau that handles Interpol matters in Australia notified Thai authorities Mr al-Araibi had boarded a flight to Bangkok and was the subject of a "red notice" initiated by Bahrain.

At least one Thai football team joined the campaign for Mr al-Araibi's freedom — although a similar campaign to #SaveThailand sprung up in the country's defence.

Nevertheless, the more pressure Thailand faces, the more it appears to push back.

The Thai Attorney-General's office (OAG) defended the extradition process, and repeated claims that the Thai Government lacked the power to stop the case.

"Just because he's a refugee doesn't mean he can avoid his crimes of the past," said Chatchom Akapin, director-general of the office's International Affairs Department.

The OAG has warned that Mr al-Araibi could remain in jail until August, while the Criminal Court assesses Bahrain's extradition request.

Mr Foster said growing support from the world football community could still swing the case in Mr al-Araibi's favour.

Mr al-Araibi was arrested in November last year. ( AP: Gemunu Amarasinghe )

"I do believe FIFA and OIC have an immense role to play here. They cannot simply leave it to governments," he said.

"Together those twin pressure points can I believe break the case for Hakeem.

"If international games are disallowed in Thailand now immediately — particularly because refugee footballers are not safe travelling here — then that would be a massive statement."

Mr Foster said he hoped to meet Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison in person next week to discuss further measures, and also planned to visit Geneva to meet representatives from the United Nations.