Melbourne Victory defender Rody Vargas is confident he will be fit for the season-opener against Sydney FC, despite contracting Dengue fever on a recent overseas trip.
The 31-year-old said he is about two weeks behind schedule in his preparations after the setback, suffered during his honeymoon to Thailand.
“I came down with Dengue fever, I was in Thailand for two weeks on my honeymoon and I got crook when I got back. I missed about two weeks of training and lost a bit of weight, so I’m desperately trying to get back my fitness,” he said.
Vargas has been put on a modified training program in order to regain his fitness following the setback and has been working alongside captain Kevin Muscat in a bid to be ready for the opening match.
“It’s been a bit of catch up for me. That why I’m doing extra sessions, Musky and I are making up sessions. But we’re pretty 2confident in the coaching staff, that we’ll get up to scratch. Four weeks is a long time, so we’ll be right for the first game,” he said.
Melbourne plays Argentine giant Boca Juniors on Friday July 16 at Etihad Stadium, with Vargas saying that game will provide the club’s fringe players a chance to impress against quality opposition.
“It will give a few of the young boys a chance to show their stuff and a few of the older boys a chance to get into game mode. The season is only four weeks away, so we are looking forward to the first game,” he said.
“It’s a preparation game for us, but it’s a high quality opposition. We know exactly where we are at. We might not exactly be at full fitness and it will be good stepping stone for us to see exactly where we are.”
Meanwhile, Vargas said he was impressed with the impact new keeper Michael Petkovic had made since arriving at the club last week.
“Michael brings a heap of experience. He’s only been here a week but he’s a guy who talks a lot and a lot of the boys respect him. But having said that, (Glen Moss) is still to come back from the World Cup, so there will be a fight for a goalie position, it’s a healthy thing to have,” he said.
