Gold Coast United will challenge for Melbourne Victory defender Michael Thwaite in January. Thwaite, 25, is on loan to the Victory from Norwegian club SK Brann, with Miron Bleiberg keen to entice him to the Gold Coast next season under a similar arrangement.

"Come January, we'll approach him. We'll talk to his club," the United boss said. "I'm interested in him.

"There's competition for his services from the Victory and from North Queensland, but I'm happy to fight for him."