Melbourne Heart FC Captain Fred has declared himself fit and ready to face Gold Coast United at AAMI Park tomorrow night.
Melbourne Heart FC Captain Fred has declared himself fit and ready to face Gold Coast United at AAMI Park tomorrow night.
The Brazilian has been out of action since Heart last faced the side from the glitter strip, suffering a groin injury during a 1-1 draw at Skilled Park on January 8.
Having undergone a relatively lengthy stint out of the first team reckoning as he sought to prove his fitness, which included an appearance for the National Youth League side against Adelaide United on Sunday, Fred feels he-s at peak fitness, and ready to be unleashed upon the Gold Coast.
“I-m ready to go on Friday,” he said. “I always try to do my best, (and I-ve) just (been) training this week to try get fit to play on Friday.”
Fred, 32, has been metronomic in his consistency when fit this season, with Heart boasting an indifferent record in his absence.
Playing an integral role in Heart-s surge through November and December, which saw the side claim seven wins from eight matches, Fred stint on the sidelines has undoubtedly been a factor in the side-s recent dip in form.
And with the midfield talisman poised to make his return against a youthful Gold Coast outfit tomorrow night, Heart will be hoping his influence can propel the side back up the Hyundai A-League table.
“It was difficult to watch the game and not be able to help your teammates. Always when you watch, you want to do something, but you can-t,” he said.
“They play good, every game they play home and away they play good, but I think if you play good and don-t get the three points, it-s not good enough.
“I think everyone knows what they need to do to get the three points on Friday night.”
