Brisbane coach Farina looking for cover

Frank Farina will cast his eye over a number of trialists across the next two of weeks in an effort to maintain Brisbane Roar’s increasing momentum despite dwindling player numbers.

Brisbane have climbed to third place despite losing several key players to injury, but with Luke DeVere, Mitch Nichols and Tommy Oar now departed for the U20 World Cup Farina said player stocks were as thin as he’d ever seen.

“When you look at the team that played in the Preliminary Final last year, seven of that eleven are missing, so it’s pretty thin,” the Roar coach said.

“We’ve still got a little bit of depth but we certainly have to bring some players in.”

There could be several places up for grabs, with Farina hoping to receive the go-ahead to sign cover for the Young Socceroos as well as long-term injury casualties Massimo Murdocca and Matt McKay.

“We have to confirm that first but hopefully we’ll be able to bring some players in as cover,” he said.

“They’ll have a week or two weeks to show whether they can step up to this level. We’ve got to cast the net to see if players are available and if they’re up to the standard.”

Farina said his team had so far handled the personnel losses well, punctuated by an emphatic 3-0 victory in Newcastle last weekend.

“That’s the test of a good team,” he said. “I think where we’re sitting at the moment is indicative that we’re a good squad.

“Everyone says it’s a poor start, but we haven’t lost in five games. We lost the first game and now we’ve drawn three and won two.

“We’re sitting third, albeit by a point and we’re in the mix. When you consider all the issues and problems that we’ve had, I’ll take it.”

The Roar received some good news this morning with Danny Tiatto potentially available for next weekend’s match against Sydney.

The experienced defender will miss Perth Glory’s visit to Suncorp Stadium on Sunday after suffering a groin injury in the match against the Jets.