Roar has a Hol to fill
Transfer window aids Brisbane without star
BRISBANE Roar are set to delve into the transfer market next month if former Socceroos star Brett Holman is still sidelined with a knee injury.
Holman, who turns 35 next month, is yet to kick a ball in anger this season after complications from knee surgery at the end of the Roar’s 2017-18 campaign.
Brisbane coach John Aloisi had expected the former Aston Villa midfielder to be available for the final few weeks of the pre-season.
However, heading into A-League’s Round 7, Aloisi still isn’t sure when Holman is fit.
It has led to fears that Holman’s stellar career could be on the verge of completion.
Aloisi isn’t ready to give up on the playmaker but admits he will seek cover in next month’s transfer window if Holman is still out.
“If Brett’s still out we’ll look to bring in an injury replacement player,” he said.
“We were hoping he would have been back by now but it hasn’t worked out that way.”
Holman considered retirement last season due to ongoing calf issues but signed a new one-year deal, convinced he could play a big role this season rather than just be a squad player. “I want to be there to contribute and be one of the outstanding ones,” he said in March.
Aloisi said Holman was understandably frustrated with his predicament.
“He wanted to have an impact this season and we believed he could, and still can if he can overcome this injury,” the Roar mentor said.
Holman’s presence would have been more than handy currently, with the Roar to again be without attacking midfielder Stefan Mauk for Sunday’s clash against Newcastle Jets at McDonald Jones Stadium.
Mauk, who only returned last Friday night against Adelaide United after missing three games with a groin injury, is suspended this weekend after being sent off in the Roar’s 2-1 loss to the Reds.