Krishna plays waiting game as Covid-19 clouds off-contract strikers future

Wellington Phoenix legend Roy Krishna is not ruling out a stunning return to the A-League but says the Covid-19 pandemic has forced him to delay a decision on his next move after leading ATK to Indian Super League glory.

The 32-year-old Fijian international will have no shortage of options when he becomes a free agent next month with clubs in Europe, North America, Asia and the A-League expressing interest in the striker on the back of another prolific season.

ATK is also desperate to keep hold of their star player and on-field talisman.

"Covid-19 has thrown everything [into disarray]," Krishna said. "I just wanted to come home and just think about it and relax with my family and make the decision together.

"But this has dragged everything backwards and I just have to wait because I don't know when football is going to start. Hopefully soon but once everything starts I will make my decision.

"I've got nothing at the moment to decide on because of this virus. I travel with my family, my wife is always around me, so I want better for her as well and I always go for countries that value me and the season that just went by, they were really good to me and my family."

Although a hamstring injury forced him from the field in the early stages of the final, Krishna played a vital role in ATK's championship-winning season. He scored a leagueleading 15 goals and captained the Kolkata club in various games including their title-clinching 3-1 triumph over Chennaiyin.

Due to the threat of Covid-19, the ISL final was played behind closed doors on March 14, with Krishna's wife Naziah Ali one of just 20 spectators allowed into the 19,000 seat Fatorda Stadium to watch the match.

"It was pretty weird to play the final behind closed doors, but we won, so we were just happy. It was a long wait," he said.

"As a captain as well to win something, it was a great achievement."

Eager to get out of India before the situation worsened, Krishna flew home to Fiji last month after securing a lastminute ticket. However, the trip was not without its complications as another passenger on the flight ended up testing positive for Covid-19.- After spending a nervous two weeks in lockdown Krishna was finally allowed to travel to Labasa to visit his family this week, but he admitted it was a stressful time when he discovered he may have been exposed to the virus.

"At the time we were very scared but the nurses came and checked up on us, and they're doing a very good job. It was very scary."