Nick Fitzgerald ... banished to Brisbane Roar's youth team. Source: AAP
Central Coast Mariners coach Graham Arnold wants Nick Fitzgerald in Gosford as soon as possible now that the Brisbane Roar attacker has been shunted to the National Youth League.
After last week being told by Roar coach Mike Mulvey he was still part of Brisbane's first-team plans, despite signing a two-year deal with the Mariners, Fitzgerald has since been told by Mulvey that he will no longer be considered for A-League selection.
| P | W | D | L | GD | Pts | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Central Coast | 16 | 10 | 4 | 2 | 15 | 34 |
| 2 | Adelaide | 16 | 10 | 2 | 4 | 8 | 32 |
| 3 | Victory | 16 | 8 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 27 |
| 4 | Western Sydney | 16 | 8 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 26 |
| 5 | Newcastle | 16 | 6 | 2 | 8 | -8 | 20 |
| 6 | Perth | 16 | 5 | 4 | 7 | 1 | 19 |
| 7 | Heart | 16 | 5 | 3 | 8 | -3 | 18 |
| 8 | Brisbane | 16 | 5 | 2 | 9 | -1 | 17 |
| 9 | Sydney | 16 | 5 | 2 | 9 | -13 | 17 |
| 10 | Wellington | 16 | 4 | 4 | 8 | -5 | 16 |
It has left 20-year-old Fitzgerald angry and desperate to immediately rejoin the Mariners, where he started his career.
Arnold, who needs attacking reinforcement after the departure of Tom Rogic to Scottish giants Celtic and Bernie Ibini's likely move to Belgian outfit Club Brugge, hopes Mulvey will grant Fitzgerald his wish rather than "punish" him.
"If they're just going to put him in the (youth) grade, we'd love to have him down here and get him involved in our first team straight away," Arnold said.
"I understand Brisbane's situation and I know he's got a contract until the end of the season there. But if it (an immediate move to Gosford) was able to happen and we could have him for the rest of the A-League season and the Champions League, I'd really appreciate it."
Arnold said the sticky situation was a product of the January transfer window.
"The kid made a decision before Mike Mulvey came in as coach," he said.
"Players sign with other clubs early and you want to hope that the boy's not getting punished."
A Roar spokesman said the club was considering the Mariners' request for an early release. But with their own AFC Champions League campaign on the horizon, provided they beat Thai club Buriram United in February's qualifier, Brisbane remain cautious.
"Anything can happen in football in terms of injuries and suspensions," he said.
Arnold is a huge fan of Fitzgerald, who made one A-League appearance for the Mariners before being brought to Brisbane by former coach Ange Postecoglou in 2011.
Fitzgerald was not as highly regarded by Postecoglou's short-lived successor Rado Vidosic, who was deposed by Mulvey in December.
"When the opportunity came to get him back, I didn't hesitate," said Arnold, who rates Fitzgerald's versatility.
"He can play wide both sides and he can play as a No.10."
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