Victory in sight for Brisbane Roar utility

AN A-League championship winner with Melbourne Victory last season, Stefan Nigro came to Brisbane Roar confident in his ability to be a firstteam regular.

And it’s a belief that hasn’t wavered, despite his lack of football this season.

The 22-year-old utility – who can play either as a fullback or a defensive midfielder – has played just 44 minutes of A-League football this season.

And that’s for a team whose record suggests Nigro should have had more game time.

The Roar have struggled all season, having won just one of their 13 matches and conceded 26 goals.

But Nigro is perhaps seeing some light at the end of the tunnel.

He made just his second appearance of the season last Friday night when he came on for the final 41 minutes of the Roar’s 1-0 loss to Melbourne City at AAMI Park.

Nigro has been named in an extended squad for the Roar’s clash with the Victory at Suncorp Stadium tonight, and with fullback Jack Hingert ruled out with an ankle injury, Nigro has a good chance of again being in the 16-man match-day squad.

“It was good to be back out there against City because I know I can contribute to the team,” Nigro told The CourierMail.

“I’ve had a few little niggles this season that haven’t helped but I’m obviously keen to play all the time.”

If Nigro does get on the park tonight, it will be for the first time in a competitive match against the Victory.

He played when the teams met in a pre-season friendly, but the stakes are much higher tonight, with the Roar desperate to end a run of eight matches without a win and the Victory keen to cut Perth Glory’s lead at the top of the table.