Richard Garcia has hailed Friday’s pre-season squad meeting as a welcome return to normality.
For the first time since ending their post-season quarantine last month, the players gathered as a group at Glory HQ in order to being preparations for the new campaign.
And Garcia was delighted to finally be able to start working in earnest with his squad.
“It’s fantastic to have the players back in after what has been a frustrating and challenging few months in football,” he said.
“I’ve been very eager since being appointed to get the boys back in and this is a great opportunity for us to get together and really start our preparations.
“The players have also been very eager to move forward and switch their focus back onto football and doing what they love every day.”
Diego Castro was among those who attended the meeting and Garcia is extremely pleased that the former Johnny Warren Medal winner is back in the fold.
“The COVID situation and some miscommunication and misunderstandings led to awkward situations developing with a number of players, particularly Diego,” he said, “but we’ve tried to resolve those amicably and move forward.
“Diego is one of the best players in the history of both the A-League and this club and it’s great to have him back on board.”
The Head Coach went on to confirm that the squad will be bolstered by a number of new recruits who are set to be unveiled next week and that he also plans to tap into the PGFC Academy talent pool.
“We’ve been working tirelessly to strengthen the squad in areas where we have lost players,” he said, “and will be in a position to confirm some new signings over the next few days.
“A number of our young players will also be given the opportunity to mix it with the First Team squad and prove themselves in the coming weeks.
“I’m confident that our Members and fans will be excited by the squad that we’re assembling for the 2020/21 season.”
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