Brisbane Roar discard Charlie Miller is training with Gold Coast United to keep fit as the fledgling club looks to slash through red tape and snare the services of the star playmaker.
Miller and Roar parted ways harmoniously last week after new Brisbane coach Ange Postecoglou told the one-time international he was not part of the club’s future, but United mentor Miron Bleiberg sees the Scot’s signature as a possible coup.
“Somebody asked me once about him and I said I would’ve paid for a ticket to go to a Roar game just to watch Charlie Miller because he in so enjoyable to watch,” Bleiberg said.
At times Gold Coast has seemed to be missing a link between its midfield and Shane Smeltz, a role which Bleiberg is hoping Miller can fill.
“When we established this team my plan was to bring Jefferson to be our playmaker, since then Jefferson has not been playing (injury) and we don’t have a playmaker,” he said.
“Zenon (Caravella) and Jason (Culina) are excellent midfielders but none of them have the title as playmaker so maybe Charlie is the cog we are missing.”
“He fits in with our style but he has to put in the hard work and be fit.”
Despite Gold Coast being keen to have the crafty Miller in blue and gold as soon as possible, the club remains bound by FFA rules which prevent any player from signing on as a guest player in the same season they played with a rival Hyundai A-League club.
United cannot sign Miller as an international player as it has already filled that quota.
In other personnel news for the club, electric Ivorian wing-back Adama Traore will make his return this weekend as an overage player in United’s National Youth League clash with the Jets. Traore has missed seven weeks with a knee injury after providing much of the spark as United strung together wins to start the season.
Brazilian striker Milson will also turn out for the youth team in a bid to force his way back into the top squad.
