North in limbo but pushes for DeVere
MARCO MONTEVERDE JADE North’s future remains uncertain but he has no doubt the outlook for fellow Brisbane defender Luke DeVere includes a Socceroos recall.
North and DeVere will again anchor the Roar’s backline today when they host Newcastle Jets at Suncorp Stadium.
Revenge will not be the only matter on the pair’s minds after the Jets’ 4-0 drubbing of the Roar in October, with both players coming off contract at the end of the season.
North, 34, said he was playing for his future, having yet to be offered a new deal by the Roar.
By contrast, 27-year-old DeVere knows the Roar want to keep him for next season and beyond but he is yet to commit to the club as he toys with idea of again trying his luck with an overseas club.
Regardless of where DeVere plies his trade, North believes the former Brisbane Grammar School student should be part of Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou’s plans.
“I’ve got a lot of time for Lukey, he’s a great player,” North said.
“He’s had a hell of a run with injuries over the years, but with his presence on the field and the person he is around the club, he’s a great leader.
“He’s just got to keep the run of consistency going and I’ve got no doubt he will be in the Socceroos.
“Hopefully Ange takes him away with the next squad. I think he thoroughly deserves it.”
North, who has played every minute of every Roar ALeague game since the start of last season, believes he deserves a new contract.
“(I’m) still feeling fit, still feeling good, my body’s the best it’s been,’’ he said.
“We haven’t discussed anything, we’re just focusing on playing, but obviously I’ve got to try to sort my future out soon.’’
Roar coach John Aloisi praised North’s form and durability but would not com- mit to offering his former Socceroos teammate another deal.
“We have to look at how things go at the end of the season, with not only Jado, but a few players, because the salary cap’s a difficult one,” Aloisi said.
Professional Footballers Australia chief executive John Didulica has called on Football Federation Australia to shift the Roar’s A-League clash with Melbourne City on February 11 back a day if Brisbane play Shanghai Shenhua in an AFC Champions League play- off in China on February 8.
“If there is anything less than 72 hours between the games, the health and safety of the Roar players will be compromised,” Didulica said.