Aloisi says Henrique signed for sharp form

ROAR coach John Aloisi has made no apologies for adding to Brisbane’s long list of veterans with the signing of Henrique.

Having rejoined the club on Thursday despite both Aloisi and Roar managing director David Pourre previously saying the Brazilian-Australian would not be signed this season, Henrique will come off the bench today when Brisbane host Newcastle Jets at Suncorp Stadium.

While Henrique is an undoubted favourite with Roar fans, his signing has been met with resistance among some supporters as it further matures an already ageing squad.

In the Roar’s last-start 2-1 win over Melbourne Victory, Brisbane’s starting team was the oldest in NSL/A-League history, with an average age of 33 years and four months.

There’s every chance Aloisi will start with the same 11 today, with Henrique set to displace a younger player from Brisbane’s bench.

But if it means it increases seventh-placed Roar’s chances of closing the gap on the top six, Aloisi won’t care about criticism over his recruitment and selection.

Aloisi said Henrique was “only 32” and “still at a good age”.

“When I saw how good he was in training and how sharp he looked, I had no hesitation in asking the club if we were allowed to sign him until the end of the season,” Aloisi said.

“I haven’t seen (Henrique) this sharp for a long time, and we know what he can do when he’s on fire.

“Hopefully he gets a run and shows everyone that he’s still got it. He still feels he can offer a lot.”

While Aloisi backed Henrique to produce on the field today, he also hoped the presence of another three-time ALeague championship winner, retired Roar great Thomas Broich, in the Suncorp Stadium crowd would bring Brisbane fortune against the Jets.

Back in Brisbane for a brief visit before his return to Germany next month, Broich was also at Roar training yesterday.