North Queensland Fury coach Ian Ferguson is keeping his options well and truly open ahead of the club’s Round 10 Hyundai A-League clash with Central Coast at Bluetongue Stadium.
Ferguson has some decisions to make this week, with at least two midfield positions left vacant after Ufuk Talay was suspended and Chris Tadrosse was moved to left-back to replace the injured Shane Stefanutto.
The former Mariners assistant coach has brought Rostyn Griffiths, David Williams, Osama Malik and Jeremy Brockie into his 18-man squad while Fred Agius retained his place.
Ferguson says every player has a chance of a call-up.
“I’d be willing to throw any of them in to start if they show us they want to be there,” the Scot said.
“The spots are there, there are places up for grabs.”
If picked, 19-year-old Osama Malik would make his Hyundai A-League debut while New Zealander Jeremy Brockie would play his first game in Fury colours after a thigh injury has kept him out of the start of the season.
In total three players will be cut, although North Queensland has been travelling with sixteen.
As usual Ferguson isn’t giving too much away prior to narrowing down the squad.
“Spagnuolo’s doing well, Fred Agius is doing well, Brockie’s doing well … Griffiths is doing well again, David Williams …”
“The opportunity’s going to be there for them, I keep saying to them, come and take it, it’s up to you to stay in there,” he said.
Ferguson denies there’s any extra pressure attached to the Central Coast match despite coming up against his former mentor, Mariners coach Lawrie McKinna, for the first time in Hyundai A-league history.
North Queensland has been strong on the road so far, losing one, winning one and drawing three.
Whether the student will become the master this time remains to be seen.
