Brisbane Roar’s gun French signing Eric Bautheac has revealed his frustration after visa processing delays forced him to wait six weeks to join his new club.
The 30-year-old former Lille midfielder signed with Roar in early September but only arrived at the club this week.
The delay means Bautheac missed Brisbane’s first two games, both losses, and has lost match fitness and conditioning.
The Frenchman is available for Sunday’s clash with Newcastle Jets but isn’t fit enough to play the full 90 minutes.
The situation has left Bautheac frustrated and jet-lagged ahead of his A-League debut.
“It’s been very frustrating because I had to train by myself,” Bautheac said.
“Physically I’ve lost a bit of shape. The championship had already started here and I wasn’t with my new team-mates so it was very frustrating.”
Bautheac was coy when asked if he’d be fit enough to play 90 minutes against the Jets.
“Physically I’m not 100 per cent but I’ll give all I’ve got,” he said.
“I need to recover from the jetlag a bit, but whatever happens as long as he’s got the team shirt on my back, I’ll give all I’ve got.
“If I play 50-60-90 minutes, I’ll give it all.”
MUST SEE | Follow @BautheacEric on his first day at BRFC! Be at @suncorpstadium this Sunday to see him make his @ALeague debut! #FEELTHEROAR pic.twitter.com/kfFtA3yG5V
— Brisbane Roar (@brisbaneroar) October 19, 2017
Roar coach John Aloisi confirmed Bautheac would be involved against Newcastle, who’ve started the season with a win and a draw.
“He’ll be involved. He got his international clearance so we’ve been able to name him in the 18,” Aloisi said.
“He’ll definitely play some part in the game, whether he starts or come off the bench we’ll see.
“He’s physically in pretty god shape, still lacks a bit of match rhythm but his condition is pretty good.”
Aloisi didn’t go so far as to say Bautheac would be the difference to end Roar’s losing start to the season, but he promised a big impact.
“He’ll have a massive impact because of the way he plays,” he said.
“He’s a player that can run at players, very technical, set up goals, score goals and gives us a lot of options in the front four.
“He can play on the left, the right and in the middle.
“He’s got experience but still quite young, just turned 30. It’s the prime of his career, that’s when I felt my best physically, mentally and tactically. He’s come here at a good age for us.”
He's arrived...Welcome @BautheacEric!👊#FeelTheRoar @ALeague pic.twitter.com/wRUBGOTBIo
— Brisbane Roar (@brisbaneroar) October 17, 2017
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