Melbourne Heart FC Captain Fred has made his first tentative steps in the comeback from injury after featuring in the Club’s National Youth League match against Adelaide United today.
Melbourne Heart FC Captain Fred has made his first tentative steps in the comeback from injury after featuring in the Club-s National Youth League match against Adelaide United today.
The Brazilian played 30 minutes in the youth hit out, testing his groin in match conditions for the first time since succumbing to injury on January 8 against Gold Coast United.
Fred-s return provides a massive boost to the Red and White after the Club-s senior side were forced to cope without his services for at least one more week after Head Coach John van ‘t Schip opted to leave the Brazilian behind for his side-s clash with the Newcastle Jets yesterday.
Despite training strongly, van ‘t Schip, in consultation with Fred and the Heart high performance staff, decided to err on the side of caution, believing it to be in the former DC United star-s best interests to complete another week-s training before making his return.
“We had a little hope we could bring him back (to face Newcastle), but it was not really the time,” van ‘t Schip said.
“We had him in training (on Friday), and we felt it was better to work with him one more week. Even then, we have to see as it-s an injury which is not easy to work and see if he-s able to play. We have to review it day by day, and that-s something we have to deal with.”
The 32-year old wasn-t the only player to make his long awaited return today, with midfielder Kliment Taseski making a substitute appearance during the 1-1 draw at John Cain Memorial Reserve.
Taseski was impressive during his half hour cameo appearance, demonstrating the vision and passing game which saw him rise through the Victorian football ranks.
The former Jimmy Rooney Medallist nearly capped off a promising display with a goal in the final 10 minutes of the contest, twisting and turning just inside the penalty area before curling a left footed effort that narrowly missed the target.
