Brisbane Roar coach Ang Postecoglou insists he's not freezing out Danny Tiatto.
Tiatto is missing for tomorrow's clash with Newcastle Jets.
"He always has been (considered) and always will be. He's stated that he wants to be here until the end of the year. I'm waiting for him to be fit so he can put his hand up," Postecoglou told the Brisbane Times.
"And when he has been fit I have played him. We've got five games to go and we want to work hard to get into the finals. Every week will be a battle for him."
But the signs of tension between the pair are evident. When asked about the status of his relationship with Tiatto, Postecoglou replied: "The same as it's always been. He's a player. I'm a coach."