Roar return remote
MICHAEL Zullo says the chances of him returning to Brisbane Roar next season are slim, with his preference to remain in Europe.
Speculation had been growing that Zullo – coming out of contract at his Dutch club FC Utrecht – wanted to continue his career in the A- League, preferably with the Roar.
The left- side utility made 53 appearances for the Roar between 2007 and 2010 before being sold to Utrecht.
He returned to the ALeague last season on loan with Adelaide United before going back to the Netherlands with high hopes of playing regular first- team football.
But Zullo suffered a serious knee injury in July last year, required a reconstruction and is yet to play for his Dutch club this season.
While he is pleased with his recovery, Zullo admits he is at the crossroads in a career yet to live up to its potential.
“It’s a little bit of a balancing act,” he said from his Utrecht base.
“I started full training about six months after the operation but they wanted to slow me down a little bit because there’s no advantage in going too quickly at the last stage of the recovery.
“Half of me wants to come back and play now so I can show clubs that I’m fit, but then the other half doesn’t want to risk coming back too early.
“Next season’s really important for me. I have to get back into it as quickly as possible … I’m pretty focused on staying in Europe.
“I’m only going to make the decision to come back to Australia if it’s a step forward in my career and it’s for a club that really wants me and really got ambition to move forward.”
The question is whether the Roar meet that criteria.
“I’m not in official talks with the Roar. I did a bit of my rehab for my knee when I was back in Australia last year with the medical staff at the Roar, but as far as contract talks or an idea of me playing there next season, that hasn’t been
discussed,” he said.