Reinaldo is back and raring to go

6 January 2010-PA Sport

Brisbane Roar striker Reinaldo is full of optimism ahead of his side’s visit to Wellington to take on Phoenix on Saturday and he has every reason to be taking a positive approach to the clash, the club said.

For the first time since returning from Korea last season, the big Brazilian is in peak physical condition – finally free of concerns over his hamstring and osteitis pubis.

The clean bill of health from the medical staff means coach Ange Postecoglou is likely to start with a two-man strike-force of Reinaldo and Dutchman Sergio van Dijk for the Westpac Stadium battle.

With his partnership with van Dijk continuing to develop, Reinaldo said he was looking forward to unleashing a formidable attacking wave against one of the A-League’s best defences.

“I’m looking foward to getting out there and helping the team turn things around on the pitch,” Reinaldo said.

“I have been working very hard with Serge on some things and I hope to score some goals to help us get the three points.”

Reinaldo is Roar’s top scorer against Phoenix, having netted five times against the club from across the ditch.

Likely to be blocking the way to goal is former teammate Liam Reddy and Reinaldo said he was relishing the opportunity to face the custodian he spent three years with at Roar.

“He knows how we play and we know how he plays,” he said. “So we will be looking to score past him in the ways we know how.

“This is a very important match so I hope the strikers win us the match.”

Roar secured four vitally important away points last season at Westpac Stadium courtesy of a 1-1 draw in Round 1 and a 1-0 win in Round 9.

Josh McCloughan, who was the hero of the 1-0 victory as he scored the winner with his head, is another who could find himself in the starting XI, replacing Craig Moore in the heart of the Brisbane defence.