Perth Glory midfielder Mile Sterjovski admits time is running out for him and his fellow Australian-based Qantas Socceroos to secure the overseas loan deal they need for a position in Australia’s World Cup squad.
Sterjovski and Glory team-mates Jacob Burns and Chris Coyne are all chasing loans to overseas clubs in order to play a full European-style season, ensuring they’re match fit for possible World Cup selection.
Australian coach Pim Verbeek has categorically stated that Hyundai A-League players not playing for a club after the Australian competition finishes on March 20, won’t be on the plane to South Africa.
But facing one of the slowest transfer periods in recent football history, where clubs across Europe have generally opted to limit spending in an effort to consolidate debts, Sterjovski said other options may need to be considered.
“If there was (an offer), I’d be telling you straight away,” Sterjovski said on Thursday.
“(But) I’m not concerned at all.”
“I’m more than happy to play out the season here and make the finals and keep playing until it finishes,” he added in some welcome news for Glory fans.
“And then, when that situation comes about, I can maybe head back to Europe and as a worst case scenario, I would consider going back to a few of my old clubs in Europe and training for six, seven weeks.”
“I haven’t spoken to him (Verbeek) about it because the transfer window is still open.”
“But as a worst case scenario, if that comes about, then I’d give him a call and see what he thinks about that.”
Making matters worse for the possible Qantas Socceroos, any chance of being loaned to Melbourne for the start of Victory’s Asian Champions League campaign are over, as the Victorians nominated their squad on Wednesday, with no changes allowed.
But while Burns, Coyne and Sterjovski wait for possible offers, the stalling transfer market may have cost Glory midfielder Adriano Pellegrino the opportunity to trial for Scottish Premier League clubs Celtic and Motherwell.
Glory owner Tony Sage had previously said last season’s Most Glorious Player would be heading to Scotland this weekend for trials. But coach Dave Mitchell poured cold water on this after training on Thursday.
“I haven’t heard any more about that,” Mitchell said. “So it’s up in the air.”
“Nothing has been confirmed, nothing has come across my desk to say when he’s leaving, if he’s going or whether it’s Motherwell or Celtic or Man United. I don’t know.”
Mitchell has admitted the uncertainty surrounding the players’ future had destabilised the side in recent weeks, none more so than when Chris Coyne returned from a lightning trial at Chinese club Shandong Luneng less than 24 hours before the Glory was thrashed 6-2 by Melbourne last weekend. For his part, Coyne had a difficult time and was substituted before half-time.
Burns, though, appears to have cast those worries aside, the Glory skipper firing in a superb double as Perth came from two goals down to beat Adelaide 3-2 midweek, in a result that may have sealed the Glory’s first Hyundai A-League finals campaign.
Perth has the chance to move seven points clear of the bottom four on Friday night when it takes on Wellington at ME Bank Stadium in a game where a win for either side will almost seal a finals berth.
But facing its third game in seven days, Mitchell said his team was struggling, adding that Burns may be in doubt after only doing light work at training.
“There are a lot of players that are hurting with the punishing schedule but they are focused and if they play they will be okay,” the coach said.
“The players realise what the situation is. We’ve got a fantastic opportunity, we’re playing at home, we’re strong at home but Wellington are a good side,” he said.
