Gold Coast United are sweating on the fitness of star striker Shane Smeltz and craftsman Charlie Miller ahead of Friday night’s blockbuster clash with Melbourne Victory with both players battling to overcome a virus picked up on last weekend’s away trip to the Central Coast.
In a precautionary measure Smeltz – who didn’t train on Wednesday, has been isolated from the main playing group to prevent any further spread, but according to staff at the club the A-league’s top goal-scorer will be given every opportunity to prove his fitness for selection in Friday’s squad.
Youth marquee Tahj Minniecon, who shared a room with Miller on the trip away, has also picked up symptoms of the virus and along with Miller only managed to complete the first-half of United’s Wednesday morning session at Skilled Park.
Gold Coast assistant coach Paul Okon played down the concerns at training assuring all players will be fit and ready for arguably the clubs most important game of season.
“Tahj and Charlie trained for the first part of this morning but it’s quite hot. They’ve lost a little bit of weight due to their unfortunate virus, but both of them are fit and will train fully tomorrow and be up for selection on Friday.” Okon maintained.
With Melbourne having beaten Gold Coast twice this season, Okon said that everything will be put on the line with a loss certain to grant the Victory at least one firm grasp on the A-league title.
“Melbourne has everything to play for, if they win that will probably see them through to first spot and end our ambition’s to get there,”
“Psychologically they’ve beaten us twice this season so if we could get one back on them before the finals it will do everybody’s confidence a lot of good.”
“Going into the finals facing Melbourne if we do come first or second, we know that we have done the job over Sydney three times this season so we’ve got that edge but it will be good to get one over Melbourne as well.” Okon said.
On another front, former Brisbane Roar skipper and Qantas Socceroo Craig Moore has expressed his interest in joining the Gold Coast next season with local media reporting Moore’s desire to return to the A-league after he finishes his World Cup commitments with Australia in South Africa.
Okon said that Moore’s services would be a much sought-after commodity at the club, however he thought the salary-cap hurdle would hold back efforts to sign the former Glasgow Rangers star.
“I think any A-league side would be foolish not to talk to Craig Moore if he is available, but I believe that he’s got more important things at the moment he’s got a World Cup to look forward to.”
“After that I’m sure Gold Coast would talk to him but first and foremost it’s about the salary cap and I’m sure Craig can command good money still in Europe and more so back in the A-league but I’m sure the club would try and do something.” Okon said.
