It has been a long road back from a crippling bout of osteitis pubis, but Brisbane Roar striker Reinaldo is set to make his first A-League appearance since October last year when he takes on the Central Coast Mariners this Saturday.
Still searching for his first win for the 2009/10 A-League season, Roar coach Frank Farina has recalled Reinaldo to the bench for this weekend’s clash against the Mariners at Suncorp Stadium.
A beaming Reinaldo, who suffered from hamstring and ankle ailments either side of recovering from the debilitating groin injury during the pre-season, was unmoved by the occasion and already firmly focused on getting one past Mariners keeper Danny Vukovic.
“Of course (it was frustrating), I have been out for one year, I worked hard to be back as soon as possible and now is my time,” Reinaldo said.
“If I score I will be happy, because it’s a very important game.”
“I am being rushed a little bit, but I will do my maximum to play 100 percent, even if I play for just 15 minutes.”
The 25-year-old was thrilled at the prospect of playing up front alongside Dutchman Sergio van Dijk, and linking up with fellow countryman Henrique – whom he played with at Brazilian outfit America Mineiro.
“Serg is a good goal scorer and a good player, now we can play with three Brazilians up front – me, Henrique and Sergio,” he laughed.
“Sergio is a good player, I don-t have any problems playing with him and we can have a good partnership.”
Van Dijk and Reinaldo are the Roar’s joint all-time leading goal-scorers with 15, but have only played eight games together since the former joined the club at the start of the 2008/09 season.
Farina suggested he would consider shifting to a 4-4-2 formation in the future and partnering the two strikers.
“Why not? It’s an option,” Farina said.
“At the beginning of last season we started a few games with Reinaldo and Sergio up front … it certainly is an option for us if we change our lineup.”
The former Socceroos mentor was impressed with the figure of Reinaldo – who sported a noticeably more muscular build compared to his lanky figure that Roar fans came accustomed to before the chronic groin injury.
“He looks physically fantastic, he’s probably going to lose a couple more kilos when he starts playing regular game time, but physically he looks good at the moment.”
“He’s been looking good and he is ready. He’s obviously not match fit for 90 minutes, but he will add a new dimension for us.”
“He’s big, he’s strong and he’s confident at the moment. So hopefully he’ll continue to improve.”
Josh McCloughan made a swift recovery from a groin injury, but Farina opted against naming the veteran defender on the bench.
Michael Zullo will most likely miss the cut again and Farina admitted the young winger was down on both fitness and confidence.
“He’ll warm up tomorrow, but most probably won’t take part in the game, unless there is something wrong with Charlie (Miller) – he’s got to have a tooth out today.”
“But Michael will be a very important player for us.”
“I need him to get at least a week, possibly two weeks of full training under his belt – and then we’ve got to try and get some game time into his legs.”
“With his shoulder, and then his ankle, it has set him back a little bit.”
