The player-drain at Queensland Roar has continued, with coach Frank Farina forced to call up untried youngster Adam Sarota ahead of his side’s Hyundai A-League match against Newcastle this Sunday.
With striker Reinaldo succumbing to a groin injury, and a host of forward options away with the Young Socceroos squad ahead of the Asian Football U-19 Championships, Farina had no choice but to include Sarota.
But Farina was confident that the 19-year-old could do a job if required.
“Adam is a quality player, he’s come out of nowhere really, he’s been overseas for a couple of years,” he said.
“He’s a good player, he can virtually play anywhere up front or in the midfield and he’s technically a very gifted player.”
The Roar’s depth of talent is set to be thoroughly tested, with nine players unavailable for selection for this weekend’s game, due to either injury or international commitments.
While Farina admitted the enforced omissions would make things tough, he suggested it was business as usual at a football club.
“You pick up a few injuries and you find that you’re on the back foot, but look we’ve got 17 fit players and we can call on the Youth League side as well.”
“We’ve still got numbers we’re not desperate just yet.”
“Newcastle has got similar problems, just not as many players away on international duty, but you can’t complain about things, you-ve just got to get on with it.”
In better news for Queensland, Farina was confident that midfielders Massimo Murdocca (cut head) and Danny Tiatto (buttock strain) would be fit and firing for the match.
Dutch recruit Sergio van Dijk sent a scare through the Roar camp when he appeared to pull up harshly with a back complaint in last week’s 1-0 win over Wellington.
Van Dijk was only feeling a ‘little bit stiff’ after training on Friday and was looking forward to working up front with either Tim Smits or Sarota in the absence of Reinaldo.
“He’s (Reinaldo) an important player, he’s already proved that in the past, but that-s the thing, we can’t force him to play because otherwise he might be out for a longer time,” he said.
“Now we just have to adjust the team and the tactics a little bit, but I think that will work out well.”
Farina admitted that he would have preferred to promote Tahj Minniecon or even Mitch Nichols to replace Reinaldo, but with neither available, he was looking forward to seeing what Satora could bring to the table.
“With Adam, it’s in his hands, he’s getting an opportunity and we’ll see how he goes.”
“You don’t want to put too much pressure on him, but with Reinaldo out for at least four weeks, it’s going to give other players an opportunity to stamp their mark.”
