Brisbane Roar’s energetic midfielder Massimo Murdocca is set to make his return to the Brisbane Roar squad for Saturday’s intrastate battle with North Queensland Fury but says he’s learnt to take his football one step at a time following his latest injury setback.
Murdocca said a few hurdles along the road to his complete recovery were to be expected after breaking his leg in the early part of last season but was looking forward to taking the field for the first time since his substitute appearance against Central Coast Mariners three weeks ago.
“(This week) I think I-ll be on the bench and after that, in the weeks coming, I-ll be fighting for my spot again,” the midfield workhorse said.
“It-s just about getting the body right for now and I can worry about my position later on.
“With the broken leg, I was told I would have some niggling injuries here and there over the next year or two.
“I-ll have to deal with that now and once they-re all gone, I-ll be back to normal.”
Last week, the 26-year-old penned a new three year deal that will see him in a Brisbane Roar jersey until the end of the 2013/14 season and it-s the security about his future that has Murdocca-s confidence boosted.
“It-s good that I-ve signed my three year deal so I can just worry about getting my body right and playing for the Roar, not only for this year but for years to come,” he said.
While admitting it was tough to not be involved on game day, the Roar-s rich vein of form meant easier viewing from the sidelines for Murdocca.
“I-m happy for the boys, I want us to win every game,” he said.
“I guess it-s easier when you don-t have to work and you see the points coming on the board but I definitely want to be a part of it.
“But, if the boys are winning, that still makes me happy.”
Cairns-born defender Shane Stefanutto is also expected to be involved for Saturday-s fixture against their Northern rivals having not featured in the Brisbane Roar squad since the November 14 win over Melbourne Heart.
Tickets for Brisbane Roar-s next home against Gold Coast United are available through Ticketek. Kick-off for the match is 6pm at Suncorp Stadium.
