After sustaining an unusual hip injury last Friday, the commanding centre back came through a training session this morning unscathed, allowing the Roar coach to breathe a little easier ahead of the long trip to Perth.

“He’s got something which no one’s actually seen before,” Farina said. “If I was a betting man, which I am, I’d say he’d be right.

“The best guide is the player himself and as we’ve seen Craig is a pretty tough customer, he’s desperate to play.”

With Josh McCloughan not expected to return from a recurring hip-flexor injury for at least two weeks, Farina said the lack of stability in the defensive line-up was making things difficult.

“We’ve had virtually all pre-season and the first three games of the league where we haven’t been able to field the same backline and I think it’s showed on a couple of occasions with goals that we’ve conceded.

“Once we get the stability in there I’m confident we’ll be winning games and picking up points.”

The former Socceroos coach said despite the slow start, the players remained positive, including battered goalkeeper Liam Reddy.

“He’s full of confidence, just ask him,” Farina laughed. “We had a word (about the Mariners game) and that’s behind us.

“Spirits are good, training’s been great.

“I think in general play we’re doing well. We’ve just got to cut out silly errors and small mistakes that we’ve been making.”

With winless Perth Glory still stinging from a 5-2 thrashing at the hands of Sydney last week and Farina was hoping his men could compound the pain.

“We’re definitely going over there to try and get three points and stay in touch with everyone,” he said. “I don’t think anyone’s going to really break away because there are some big games on the weekend.”