Moore ready to Roar

Two defenders were welcomed back to the A-League fold by the Queensland Roar - but one of them will turn out against the Brisbane-based team on Sunday. While the Roar were relieved to confirm skipper Craig Moore would overcome a "unique" hip injury and play at Perth, Queensland were just as pleased to see former teammate Stuart McLaren sign on for the Glory.

McLaren, 33, looked to have ended his A-League career when he succumbed to an ankle injury at the end of the 2007-08 season and signed on as Brisbane Strikers captain-coach in the Queensland State League. But McLaren has sealed a four week trial with Perth which could start against the Roar depending on a Football Federation Australia clearance.

While relieved to have cleared Moore of injury, Roar coach Frank Farina looked just as happy for McLaren's A-League second chance despite the possibility of the veteran conspiring against Queensland on Sunday. "I am happy for Stuey. I hope he does well - just not on Sunday," Farina laughed. "He had a nasty one with that ankle. Getting away and letting it actually settle down without having to come back and start a pre-season where it most probably would have broken down again has done him the world of good.

"It's good to see him back."

If Farina was concerned about McLaren giving away inside information, it didn't show on Friday."That's the nature of the beast. But Stuey's a good lad, he will go out there and do the best he can for Perth Glory - he left on good terms and I wish him the best."

Moore suffered a hip injury in a training collision last Friday and had been touch-and-go for a match in which the Roar are keen to notch their season-opening win.

Despite consulting the Brisbane Broncos and Socceroos' medical staff over the "very strange" hip muscle tear, Moore confirmed he would not only play but also that it would not be an ongoing concern. "I trained today no problem. A little bit of stiffness but nothing that will be an ongoing issue," he told reporters today.

Queensland (5th; 0-2-1) enter the Perth match in the same predicament as last season - desperate for a win.

Moore didn't have to be told that the Roar had to find their voice in the 2008-09 season sooner rather than later. "We are early on in the season but it is not a very long season," he said. "At this stage last season we were in a similar position and we went over there and
got a good result - that's basically what we will be looking at doing again."

Perth (7th; 0-1-2) also have not opened their winning account this season.