Four weeks of frustration looks set to end on Saturday night when the Central Coast Mariners finally get to show off their big off season signing.
After a month long battle with a niggling hamstring injury, Patricio Perez looks set to finally make his A-League debut when the Mariners take on Sydney at the Sydney Football Stadium.
The attacking midfielder travelled with the team to New Zealand last weekend but was not risked by Mariners coach Graham Arnold.
He first sustained the minor injury in the team-s final training session ahead of the Mariners round one victory against Melbourne Heart.
The injury was only expected to keep the former Argentina under-20 representative out for one week. But he was unable to run at full speed and Arnold was not willing to risk losing his prized recruit for an extended period.
“It-s been frustrating for Patricio and the club, he was our big signing and he wants to play,” Arnold said.
“But he-s looked good at training this week.”
“I-ll evaluate him later in the week before deciding what role he plays.”
After losing to Wellington last week Arnold will be tempted to rush Perez straight into the starting line up against a Sydney side desperate to score its first win of the campaign.
Meanwhile, Saturday night-s match will be one to remember for Mariners utility Pedj Bojic, who is set to play in the A-League for the 50th time.
