Aloisi to stick with Young gun in goals

BRISBANE coach John Aloisi has said Jamie Young is doing everything right to retain the job in goals in the absence of injured first-choice Michael Theo.

Long-time deputy Young (pictured) has impressed since Theo succumbed to a nagging finger injury in November and will have his hands full against A-League leaders Sydney FC at Suncorp Stadium today.

The potent Sky Blues have scored a league-high 35 goals this season, while the ninthplaced Roar are desperate to rebound from a 2-0 home loss to the Western Sydney Wanderers on Friday.

Frustrated by his side’s inability to turn competitiveness into wins, Aloisi is at least buoyed by Young’s shot-stopping ability as Roar’s longtime first-choice Theo remains sidelined.

“At the moment he’s the permanent No.1; he’s playing week in week out and been brilliant,” the coach said when asked where Young now stood in the pecking order.

“Who plays well plays and he’s been brilliant for us and I’m sure he’ll keep going.”

Young has made 55 appearances since joining the club in 2014, with Theo battling quadricep, calf and wrist complaints in recent seasons, but always preferred in goal when fit.

The 32-year-old Young has enjoyed his recent extended run between the sticks but is diplomatic when discussing where he stands.

“I’m enjoying playing, any footballer wants to play,” he said.

“But I’m part of a collective if I wasn’t playing I’d still be contributing in any way I could.

“At the end of the day that decision (who starts in goal) comes from the manager ... we all have to respect that and back whoever plays.”

Brisbane lie four points adrift of the top six but Young said the side could not afford to play panicked football in an effort to make up that gap.