Queensland Roar midfielder Charlie Miller admits that captain Craig Moore’s recent cancer scare has been playing on the minds of the squad ahead of their clash with Perth Glory on Sunday.
32-year-old Moore was diagnosed with testicular cancer less than a fortnight ago and was operated on last week.
Despite the early positive signs for the recently re-activated Socceroo following surgery, Miller says Moore’s medical situation has taken its toll on the club.
However, the Scottish import has spent a lot of time with Moore in the past week and is confident the rugged defender will make a full recovery.
“I’m sure Craig will pull through well,” he said.
“You have to have a different perspective away from football. Football is not everything, but football is very important and brings a lot of enjoyment to people.”
“Craig appreciates the support the guys have given him and everyone has given him.”
Moore, who amazingly played against the Melbourne Victory just days after being diagnosed, has been a regular at training this week and Miller says his presence has gone some way to ease the anxiety initially felt by his Roar team-mates.
“It gives the boys a boost to see him back on his feet and dealing with what has happened,” he said.
“Craig will want us to win, we’ll do it for ourselves and for Craig.”
“But it is also for the fans, the fans deserve a victory.”
Meanwhile, Miller hopes that the team can turn around its indifferent home form – which has seen it claim only one point from a possible 15 this season – when it takes on Perth at Suncorp Stadium this weekend.
“Everybody keeps talking about us not winning at home and it is always going to be there until we actually do it,” Miller said. “I believe we’re not far away.”
“We’ve been better than other teams in 90 percent of our home games.”
“We’re creating chances which is good, and long may the creating chances continue, but we just have to put them in the net.”
