Melbourne City Head Coach John van’t Schip says Tim Cahill will travel to Brisbane with the squad ahead of the Westfield FFA Cup Round of 16 clash with Brisbane Strikers.
The Dutchman confirmed Cahill’s clearance with Football Federation Australia will be a formality as he prepares for his first match in City colours as van’t Schip made it clear that he’s ready to go.
“He’s ready to play but now, it’s only how long and what’s in the best interest for us and of Tim,” he said.
“He’s been out for a few weeks and he’s only had one week of training. He’s a fit guy who has taken care of his body throughout his career so you still need a bit of a build-up and that’s what we’re working through.
“We have to see what kind of part he will have in the game. We have to make sure that his game fitness is right to use him so he’s going to be part of the squad and we’ll see how we can manage him to play a part in the game.
The Round of 16 clash will see City up against it fourth member federation club in the tournament’s history and van’t Schip says he will be wary of the magic of the cup.
“We’re not taking one game easy and the players know that,” he said.
“We’ve seen in the past, there are no easy games. In the short history of the FFA Cup, it has already shown that there are good games in the early rounds and also some surprises so that should be enough of a warning and we are going to prepare for the game in the best possible way.
“In every country when you have these types of games, it makes it special, that’s why the FFA Cup is great. For us, we just have to treat this as a serious game and again, when you win, you continue to the next round and we want to win this competition.
“We’ve looked very good the last few weeks in training and the last few days as well so the boys are looking good, feeling good and now we have to finish it going up there against an opponent that wants to battle in the game of their life. We want to succeed and go into the next round.”
The Head Coach also confirmed that Ivan Franjic and Corey Gameiro will not play a role in the match with Franjic still recovering from his virus and Gameiro only weeks away from full training.
van’t Schip also confirmed the Club has two key spots to fill on its roster, including a marquee role, but gave no hints as to who or what position they are targeting.
“We’re close but there are still a few things we are working on and hopefully we can get them done before the league starts,” he said.
“We still have a marquee spot available and also another spot as well so we’re looking carefully and hopefully we can get them before the league starts because the earlier we get them in, the earlier you can work with them.
“We want to get the right player in and it may take a bit more time but we are working very hard on it.”
Melbourne City take on the Brisbane Strikers in the Round of 16 of the Westfield FFA Cup on Wednesday 24 August. The match will be the television broadcasted match on Fox Sports 505.
