Pepper’s selection spice

ONCE considered a makeshift centre-back, Jacob Pepper is pushing for a permanent spot in the Brisbane Roar defence.

Pepper’s days as a holding midfielder seem over after his switch to the back last season.

While that started off out of necessity due to injuries, Pepper, 26, impressed enough for him to be considered a defender rather than midfielder.

The former Jet is in the mix to be one of the Roar’s starting central defenders in the ALeague season-opener against Central Coast at Suncorp Stadium on October 21.

At present he seems ahead of former Socceroo Luke DeVere, who has had less game time than expected in the preseason, and level pegging with the reliable Daniel Bowles.