Joining Victory in January after leaving Danish side SönderjyskE, Rojas carried all the trappings of a saviour when his signing was confirmed, with his cult-hero status among the Victory faithful instantly renewed.

But for the third time in succession since he became available for selection, the 28-year-old was left on the substitutes bench for last night's Asian Champions League match against Thai side Chiangrai United.

After playing 15 minutes in his first appearance against Perth Glory in round 17 and 35 against Melbourne City in round 18, the New Zealand international eventually entered as a 72nd-minute substitute against the Thai champions when he came on for a visibly frustrated Andrew Nabbout.  

Quickly making an impact on proceedings, Rojas could have easily had one or two assists during his brief cameo if his teammates had been less wasteful and disjointed in front of goal; his performance once again teasing the immense potential that he brings to a Victory side struggling for results in 2019/20.

Indeed, it's a potential that Victory is going to need to capitalise on sooner rather than later, with difficult fixtures in the ACL ahead and their A-League finals aspirations hanging by a thread.

However, with soft tissue injuries rife among his squad already this campaign – Robbie Kruse lost to a hamstring injury that may keep him out for the season just last week – Salvachúa has displayed an abundance of caution with his new signing.

And although Rojas says he is feeling good and is taking part in full training, he also understands the thinking of his gaffer.  

“I felt pretty good in reaction to what I’ve played already and the training too,” he said post-game on Tuesday night.

“It’s just a matter of continuing that and for the coaching staff to decide when it’s a good idea to put me into a full game.

“I understand why there’s a bit of safety there because it’s been a tough year in regard to injuries with some of the other boys.

“So, I’m just taking it week by week. We’ll see, hopefully more minutes start coming soon.

“I’m not that frustrated. I’ve always said that I’ve come in halfway through the season and I came in from a little break from the [Danish] season.

“I’ve been doing my own stuff, and I feel good - I’m recovering well. But I completely understand.

“This is still a bit of a pre-season for me, albeit it we’re in the middle of an A-League and ACL campaign, so I’m not that frustrated.

“I’m just picking up minutes, picking up fitness and if I can keep doing well and performing when I get on hopefully the time will come soon.”

Judging from Victory’s performance against Chiangrai, though, that time can’t come soon enough.

While in competitions like the ACL it is ultimately all about the result – and Victory are now undefeated in the 2020 ACL with seven goals scored and none conceded – Tuesday night was not a good performance by the four-time A-League champions.

Sloppy in defence and profligate in the attack, Salvachúa’s side were fortunate that their Thai opponents were either unable or incapable of capitalising on a number of chances that arose as a result of counter-attacks or turnovers.

“I mean…the most important thing is winning,” Rojas said.

“It’s been a tough season and I didn’t come in and expect that it was going to be all flying and all perfect.

“We need to start again, we need to start picking up points and once you pick up confidence the good football comes from that. Yeah, it wasn’t great, but we picked up three points and that’s what going to matter at the end of the day.

“When things haven’t been going well then sometimes it shows in the dressing room, it shows on the pitch and you don’t play your best football.

“What we need to do is pick up points and just start something. Even if it’s not pretty, just get going again.

“If we can do that the good stuff will come because if you’re winning games and doing well your confidence grows as a player and team and you produce better football.”

Rojas then said that he hoped that, as his minutes increased, he would be able to serve as a leader for any Victory restoration.

“I’ve had a lot of experience, especially with the big games here and in Europe,” the attacker said.

“I realise that now I’m 28, I need to start helping out the team as well as using that experience to improve what’s happening in the change room and on the pitch.

“That’s definitely something I look at.”