A warning has been issued to North Queensland Fury marksman Daniel McBreen after his A-League club learnt he will be linking with rivals Central Coast next season.
But Fury coach Ian Ferguson insists he has no problem using McBreen for the rest of the season as they try to keep their slim finals hopes alive, despite the availability of striker Dyron Daal.
Ferguson didn’t mince words ahead of Friday night’s vital clash with Perth Glory at Townsville, saying he delivered a “shape up or ship out” ultimatum to the departing McBreen.
There was speculation that McBreen could be on the outer following his mid-week announcement, with dangerman Daal returning from a knee injury after missing the last two games.
But Ferguson insisted it was business as usual following a heart to heart with McBreen.
“Daniel is a pretty honest guy. He has always said he will give what he has given in the past (since committing to the Mariners for two seasons),” he said on Thursday.
“And I have said to Daniel, if I see an intensity drop or I see that he is mucking about then he won’t play, simple as that.
“But I trust him. He’s honest with me and if he has been given what he has given in the last 17 weeks then so be it, he will start.”
Ferguson needs McBreen firing more than ever as the second-last Fury try to bounce back from last round’s 4-1 loss to Sydney FC, ensuring they are four points outside the top six.
But it seems any doubts over McBreen’s commitment were erased following an intra-club game on Wednesday night.
“We mixed them up and said `right, go and show us what you want to do, show us if you want to be in the team’,” Ferguson said.
“I was very pleased, five or six threw their hat in the ring including Daniel and Dyron.”
While Ferguson is content that his goal-scoring options – which also feature Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler – the Fury mentor was more concerned about their defence.
Ferguson’s anxiety was not eased by news that the Glory will be without strikers Branko Jelic (ankle) and Eugene Dadi (omitted).
North Queensland have conceded 32 goals this season – six more than next worse Gold Coast United.
“We have been working so hard on not leaking goals … and then went to Sydney (4-1 loss) and it was back to square one again,” Ferguson said.
“I think we need to shut up shop probably for the first 60 minutes (against Perth) and we’ll see how it goes from there.
“I’ve got some nightmares in my head over the last few weeks, but it’s not all doom and gloom.
“But this is a massive game for us. We have to do well tomorrow night.”
Perth hold down fifth spot but have tasted victory just once in their past seven matches.
Despite their lowly ranking, the Fury have won two of their past three home games including a 2-1 result over Perth.
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