Perth Glory defender Chris Coyne has flown to China for talks with Super League club Shandong Luneng but the star defender will be back in time for Saturday’s crucial clash away to the Melbourne Victory.
Perth Glory defender Chris Coyne has flown to China for talks with Super League club Shandong Luneng but the star defender will be back in time for Saturday-s crucial clash away to the Melbourne Victory.
Coyne left Perth on Sunday night with the blessing of the club and will re-join his team mates in Melbourne.
“The club-s position has been the same since day one. We will support all our national players in a bid to get them to the World Cup.
“It-s the greatest show on earth and we-d love to see Mile Sterjovski, Jacob Burns and Chris Coyne selected in the Socceroos squad,” Glory Chief Executive Paul Kelly said.
Coyne is hoping to secure a loan move to the Chinese club in a bid to stay match fit leading into the World Cup.
“Chris is a West Australian boy and to see him in South Africa would be wonderful.
“Since Chris came to the club he has given Perth Glory 110% and we have no doubt he-ll continue to be the true professional he is.”
With Perth Glory chasing their first A-League finals campaign, Naum Sekulovski says the players understand and support Coyne-s dream to play in a World Cup.
“It-s the biggest tournament in the world who wouldn-t want to be there.
“Ultimately we-ve got a squad that is good enough to get this club into the finals so whether they are (Coyne, Burns and Sterjovski) here on not I think we can manage,” Sekulovski said.
After a goalless draw with league leaders Sydney FC on Sunday, the Glory now plays Melbourne and Adelaide on the road before returning home to face Wellington.
“It-s a big ask but that-s the nature of the game.
“We just have to focus on what we can control and hopefully get some points while we-re away,” Sekulovski said.
The Glory are currently in sixth spot on the A-League table with 6 games to play while the Victory are second.
“We know how many points we roughly need over the next month and a half and if we can achieve those goals it should be enough to play finals footy.
