Mauk just can’t wait to Roar into action

WHEN Melbourne City decided keeping Stefan Mauk was one for the “too- hard basket”, the attacking midfielder craved to play for a club that really wanted him.

So when Brisbane Roar came knocking with an enticing four- year offer, Mauk had no hesitation in moving north.

“Brisbane were the most interested, so I didn’t really think too much about City,” Mauk said ahead of the Roar’s clash with his former club at Suncorp Stadium tonight.

The Australian under- 23 representative played for City on loan last season from Dutch club NEC Nijmegen.

While admitting he didn’t hit the heights he would have liked, Mauk was satisfied with his form in the latter stages of the campaign as he played a key role in taking City to within a win of a grand final berth.

However, it wasn’t enough for City to fight for his services this season.

While Mauk, 23, insists he doesn’t hold a grudge against City, he admits he will lift tonight in his expected return from a groin injury which has sidelined him for the Roar’s past two matches.

“I always love playing against my old teams,” he said.

“I do like playing against people I know. I feel like you want to win even more because you can hold that bit of an edge over them.”

While Mauk is desperate to start tonight, he may have to be content with a spot on the bench, with Roar coach John Aloisi likely to adopt a “slowly but surely” approach to him.

“He’s looking better and better each day,” Aloisi said.

“But if he’s not feeling 100 per cent, I’m not going to put that pressure on any one.”