CENTRAL Coast Mariners are facing the loss of another young star, with striker Bernie Ibini heading overseas for a trial at Belgium's Club Brugge.
Ibini will fly to Belgium on Sunday to link with the Jupiler Pro League side after the Mariners' clash with Melbourne Victory in Tasmania tomorrow.
The pacey 20-year-old forward will miss next Saturday's F3 Derby against Newcastle at Bluetongue Stadium but is due to return from the 10-day trial in time for the Mariners' round-18 clash with high-flying Adelaide.
Ibini, who has scored 11 goals in 49 appearances since making his senior debut at the Mariners in 2010, is under contract until the end of the 2013-14 season. But should the Mariners receive a worthwhile offer from the Belgian club he could depart as early as next month.
The January transfer window could wreak havoc on the table-topping Mariners' championship hopes, with playmaker Tomas Rogic, who is off contract at the end of this season, flying to Spain for a trial at Scottish club Celtic.
Another player on the move, Western Sydney recruit Rocky Visconte, admits he was among the new A-League team's many doubters. But that was before the Wanderers beat defending champion Brisbane Roar twice while he was at the Queensland club.
The left-winger could hardly sign fast enough when the call came from the Wanderers on Monday after he was released by Brisbane last week.
Visconte feels he has the chance to be part of something special. And despite signing a contract with the Wanderers until only the end of the current season, the 22-year-old is excited by the possibilities.
"When I found out the Wanderers were interested in me I had no doubt in my head I wanted to be part of what they were doing," said Visconte at Wanderers training yesterday. "Something special is happening here and I want to be a part of it."
Only months since they were hurriedly put together, the Wanderers sit fourth on the ladder and continue to impress with their well-organised and exciting style of play while attracting a passionate following.
"At the beginning of the season I thought, 'They're a new team, it's their first season, they're going to struggle'," Visconte admitted.
"But game by game they just improved . . . and when I was at Brisbane they beat us twice (both 1-0). You could just tell their fitness levels and everything else about them, they were another class above."
The Wanderers have lacked a natural left-footer in attack this season, and while Mark Bridge has proved his ability in the role, coach Tony Popovic said Visconte would fill a gap.
With injured forward Tahj Minniecon (foot) out indefinitely and Croatian striker Dino Kresinger (knee) up to three weeks away from returning, Popovic felt the need to act.
"He (Visconte) is a left-footed player, so he adds a bit more depth in wide areas," Popovic said.
Meanwhile, boom Mariners goalkeeper Mat Ryan has had his trial with Scottish fourth-tier club Rangers postponed due to a shoulder injury.
AAP
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