Fresh faces step up in important game for Cairns
A FRESH cast of new faces should offset any tiredness from Wednesday’s FFA Cup tie as Cairns FC visits eighthplaced Gold Coast United tonight.
Coach Danny Graystone’s men were in fine form this week, prevailing 3-0 against NQ United in Townsville.
But with Cairns FC currently ninth on the NPL ladder, Graystone said a win would give his side some much-needed breathing space over Redlands and Mackay, while a loss would put them two wins behind United.
“It’s an important game for us,” he said.
“If we win it will nudge us up to the top half of the table, so it’s a big week for us, it’s a big ask on the players.”
Graystone said he would remain in contact with the local clubs, particularly Southside and Leichhardt, to see whether Nathan Paul, Zeca Soares and Nazario Lim could be part of the club’s plans moving forward.
“They’ve been training with us this week,” he said.
“I thought the way they’d been training and the way they performed on the weekend, they deserved to be with us.
“Obviously Naz didn’t get on the pitch, but he’s been training extremely well, so I would like to keep them around with us.
“But we have to discuss with the local clubs and Southside the implications of that on them and the rest of their season.
“But they’re two great lads from (Southside), Nathan and Zeca, and they’re a pleasure to have around the club, so hopefully we can keep them around for as long as we can.”
Chilean midfielder Gianni Allebi won’t take the field for Cairns FC this weekend.
IF WE WIN IT WILL NUDGE US UP TO THE TOP HALF OF THE TABLE, SO IT’S A BIG WEEK FOR US, IT’S A BIG ASK ON THE PLAYERS DANNY GRAYSTONE