The former Empoli and Adelaide United striker has endured an injury-plagued career but is optimistic about securing an A-League contract.

He said: “It’s definitely another good opportunity for me to just prove myself and get my foot back in the door.

“Kossie (John Kosmina) has given me an opportunity and for six weeks it is a good time to open up some other options for the future.”

The 22-year old AIS graduate and former Joey has enjoyed some recent playing stability with home-town club the Wollongong Wolves in the Telechoice Premier League this season.

He said: “I needed some time to spend at home and get back up on my feet again and I guess just gain some confidence.

“I could do that in Wollongong because it was a bit more relaxed and there wasn’t as much pressure on the players to perform.

“The hype of the A-League wasn’t there which was good for me, especially after the troubles I had with Adelaide, particularly in my first year.

“So it was fantastic (at Wollongong), it made me really appreciate the A-League a lot more.”

The return to Australia of Giraldi after a frustrating spell in Italy saw him eventually sign with Adelaide United. However, the attacker’s time at The Reds was similarly ravaged by injuries and the player only managed to make 20 appearances for the South-Australian outfit, scoring one goal in two seasons.

But the A-League hopeful says he is not feeling any added pressure after signing a short-term contract with the inaugural champions as injury cover for the likes of new recruit John Aloisi and American Michael Enfield.

“I’m not feeling any pressure. I’ve spent two years trying to prove myself to people and injuries have stopped me from being able to do that and I guess it just took its toll on my body and on my mental state.

“Now, I don’t have to prove anything to anybody. I’ve just come in as an injury replacement.

“I’ve got nothing to lose, I’m just going to go out there and enjoy my football and I’m sure things will go well," he said.

Despite Sydney’s apparent reluctance to discuss the possibility of a potential extension of the player’s contract, Giraldi remains confident of his chances of securing a contract in the top tier of Australian football.

He said: "I think it would be silly for them to outline the chances of a long-term deal. Whether it was myself coming in or anybody else, if they do a good job and they perform then I’m sure that there is a chance to sign long term, if not here then somewhere else in the A-League.

“So if someone comes in and does the job, obviously it opens up doors. There is no such thing as never.

“It would be silly for someone to say ‘come in for six weeks but we can sign you for a year’ before I’ve even stepped out on the park. I guess I’ll have to do my negotiating on the pitch.”

Wollongong-born Giraldi says he will return to the Wolves if an A-League contract doesn’t materialize, with the possibility of attempting to attract the attention of either of the two new potential franchises for the 2009/10 season.

“If I don’t get a contract with Sydney FC or another A-League club, it will be back to Wollongong.

“I’ll weigh my options up at the end of it and if I join up with someone else in the A-League, fantastic. If not, I haven’t lost anything. So I’m really in the box seat to be honest.

“There are two teams coming in next year, it looks like it will be the Gold Coast and North Queensland and I need a bit of a Sun tan," he said.