Queensland Roar skipper Craig Moore is in doubt for Sunday’s Hyundai A-League clash with Adelaide United after jarring his knee at training on Friday morning.
The former Socceroos’ injury combined with the absence of young defender Luke DeVere, who is on international duty, leaves the Roar’s defence looking threadbare against the Reds’ array of attacking talent.
But coach Frank Farina is confident he still has the players to get the job done against the only club to win their opening round clash last weekend, a 1-0 victory over the Perth Glory.
“(Moore) has just jarred his knee. We’ll see how he wakes up tomorrow morning but he may be doubtful for Sunday,” Farina said.
“If we had no one to replace him it would be a very major concern (but) even if Craig does miss Sunday we’ve still got cover.”
Experienced former-Rangers and Newcastle defender Moore has already missed the first match of the new campaign after receiving a second yellow card in the last match of the Pre-Season Cup.
But Moore’s fellow defender Josh McCloughan was confident he and Ben Griffin would rise to the occasion in Moore’s and DeVere’s absence.
“We’ve got Benny Griffin who’s been around for a number of years and played a lot of games as well,” McCloughan said.
“We’re quite confident with Benny that he can come in and do a good job so we’ll wait and see what happens.”
Farina, though, said he wouldn’t mind if Adelaide attacked his improvised defence, saying he hoped to catch the Reds on the counter once the game opened up.
“They’re a good defensive team,” Farina said. “But I don’t think they play defensive football.”
“To win games you’ve got to get forward and you’ve got to try and score goals.”
“Watching their Champions League campaign, they were impressive. They’re a good side and even though they’ve lost (Nathan) Burns and (Bruce) Djite they’re still a very dangerous team.”
