Melbourne Victory head coach Carlos Salvachua says Marco Rojas will be included in tomorrow’s squad to face Sydney FC, should he be cleared to play.
The New Zealand international trained with the squad today, with the club “working hard” to complete the official documentation to clear Rojas and see him line-up in the Big Blue.
“For me as soon as possible [to select Rojas] but now the club is working with the international transfer, so we’ll see what happens tomorrow,” Salvachua said
“He is a good professional, he was working during his break he just trying to be ready for this opportunity he had training this morning with the team.
“We are waiting now in this moment, but the club is working hard.
“Yes [I would select him] because he trained this morning, he finished the training so we’ll see what will happen.”
Rojas’ return has been met with sheer excitement from Victory fans, who are excited to see the Johnny Warren medalist line-up alongside Ola Toivonen, Andrew Nabbout and Robbie Kruse.
The 28-year-old played in Denmark for SønderjyskE after stints with various clubs across Europe – including Bundesliga giants Stuttgart.
Rojas says he does not see his time in Europe as a “failure”, but is happy to return to the club where he felt most at home.
“I’ve learned a lot both as a player and as person it was an up and down period, but I thoroughly enjoyed it,” he said.
“I think playing competitive football and in the leagues over there has formed me into the player that I’m happy with at the moment and hopefully I can show that when I start playing.
“As a footballer your ability to perform really well depends on a number of varying factors and I’ve always felt really at home in Melbourne and especially at Victory. I guess that’s contributed to some of the performances here.
“If you feel good as a footballer then sometimes, you’re capable of doing this even you think wouldn’t even think about beforehand.
“I don’t look at any of it as a failure I learned a lot from my experience in Europe. Yes, it had its ups and downs I went over there with the mindset to accept the challenge that was offered to me at the time.
“It was difficult at times, but it helped me become a better player for one, a more experienced player.
Melbourne Victory hosts Sydney FC tomorrow night at AAMI Park in the annual Big Blue played over the Australia Day weekend.
