Lithuanian International striker Darvydas Sernas remains the only new recruit yet to receive his International Transfer Certificate after fellow signings, Rostyn Griffiths and Serbian midfielder Nebojsa Marinkovic, were both recently given the all-clear to play.
And then there was one …
Lithuanian International striker Darvydas Sernas remains the only new recruit yet to receive his International Transfer Certificate after fellow signings, Rostyn Griffiths and Serbian midfielder Nebojsa Marinkovic, were both recently given the all-clear to play.
The club is still hopeful Sernas will be free to play against the Melbourne Victory this Friday night after arriving in Perth a week ago. The 1.80m tall striker agreed to join the Glory on loan for the rest of season from Turkish Süper Lig team Gaziantepspor and has trained with the senior squad three times as he adjusts to his new surroundings.
”There’s a big difference in temperature in my country, instead of 20C its 40C so it-s not too easy for me, but I hope it gets better and better. I’ve never played like this (regarding the weather) but we will see. I need to adapt,” Sernas said.
The 29-year-old pacey striker has been training by himself due to Gaziantepspor-s mid-season break, but says he is determined to make the most of his playing opportunities in the Hyundai A-League.
”I trained by myself so everything will be okay. I-m very happy that I came here and for me it-s a big chance, so I will try to do my best and play more games.”
The international striker will be hoping to carry over his impressive form for Lithuania into the Hyundai A-League. Sernas has played 35 times for his country and scored five goals, including goals against Spain and the Czech Republic during their UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying campaign.
He was able to watch his first televised game of live A-League football last Sunday when Glory were beaten 3-1 by an impressive Wanderers outfit in Parramatta. Sernas said the Western Sydney Wanderers were always going to be a difficult proposition.
“It was hard because we were playing away and it is always difficult. They had too much fight and too much run. They also had two lucky goals (a deflected free kick and penalty).”
However there was good news for the Glory against Tony Popovic-s side with fellow recruit, Marinkovic, making his debut for the club in the 59th minute. The 27-year-old attacking midfielder showed some nice touches and looked sharp during his 30 minute stint and will be pushing for a starting home-debut against the Victory.
Griffiths meanwhile continues to build up strength and conditioning after undergoing minor knee surgery at the end of his two-season-spell at Guangzhou R&F FC in the Chinese Super League.
Perth Glory Interim Head Coach Kenny Lowe said the club would take a cautious approach to both Griffiths and Sernas- inclusion and would only include the duo if they were 100 percent ready.
