Brisbane Roar star Thomas Broich is back training with the defending A-League champions, barely a month after having ankle surgery.
The German maestro completed an intense 90-minute session with the squad on Sunday during the competition’s three-week break for the Asian Cup.
Broich went under the knife the first week of December after injuring his ankle in the Roar’s round seven draw with Perth Glory.
They’ve only won two of their six matches without him.
“It’s great to be back training with the boys,” Broich said.
“It is a very challenging situation we are now in – we need to turn our season around and we have to be a lot better than we have been in the past.
“Everyone is just itching to get out there and work as hard as possible to get ready for the second half of the season.
“There is a lot to play for and still many games to go. We have to be ready for that and this is what the hard work now is all about.”
Broich was one of three players back from injury, with goalkeeper Michael Theo (wrist) and fullback Jack Hingert (knee) rejoining the team for training.
Midfielder George Lambadaridis (knee) is continuing conditioning work on the sidelines.
Theo broke his left wrist in pre-season training but showed no hesitation during his workout.
“I’m feeling good but there’s a lot more hard work to go. I’m up for the challenge,” Theo said.
The Roar’s first game back after the Asian Cup break is against Wellington Phoenix – to whom they lost 3-0 last round – at Suncorp Stadium on February 2.
Ian
Guest
Broich is on contract until the end of next season at least. not that contracts mean much........but unless he is moved out he owns the international marquee spot. Henrique may become an aussie citizen this month too.
Realfootball
Guest
Not Saba, please. Completely ordinary player.
Waz
Guest
I agree - but I think he's at the wrong club playing the wrong style.
Waz
Guest
Wasn't meant to be harsh on Broich, great player, but he's just turning 34 and will be 35 before we know it so we need to be thinking about a replacement at some point.
copperknob
Guest
We haven't seen much good coming from Saba in the games we have watched ,don't think he would be right for Brisbane.
Lionheart
Guest
a bit harsh on Broich. Hope he's got a few years in him yet. The member's email advising about Polenz did promise more signings to come. Hopefully they are good to their word. I like Saba too, but maybe there's more than we know. Is Kurtisi going to be released? It's not as if he's getting much game time lately.
Waz
Guest
Signing Polenz then hopefully DeVere would be a start; if Saba is up for grabs they should make a strong play for him as a creative midfielder and longer term as s replacement for Broich; the striker is harder to fix - Mulvey gave us Kurtishi and missed out on Burns, so who else is there in the HAL that's available? Possibly Duke from Mariners but he's still young, so were left looking off shore for a striker (again) and risk repeating Mulveys mistake with Kurtishi! My feeling is we may have to wait for our striker, at least until the off season and possibly until Broich comes off marquee contract and we can use that slot for a reputable goal scorer
Lionheart
Guest
Hope these three get back to peak quickly. Theo especially, but Broich is badly missed too. Roar have told members to watch out for more signing news during the January transfer window, after signing Polenz. We need a decent striker to help bring the young guys through.