“I think he'll be really effective there. Especially in that team because they have a good midfield and can provide him with good service,” Ceccoli told au.fourfourtwo.com after training with the Mariners today.

After two seasons with Sydney FC, Ceccoli moved last season to Avispa in the Japanese J2.

He added: “I'm not sure right now but when I was there, basically Avispa had no strikers.

"The quicker you settle in the better – learn the language and it's a comfortable city to live in.

“Joel's got great engines, and good speed and he's a good finisher as we all know."

As for Ceccoli, his return to the A-League has been a tough physical challenge after a period of inactivity following the conclusion of the J2.

“I'm getting there," admitted Alvin. "I'm happy to be back. To be fair, I was gone in the final 20 minutes of the game in Perth last week. I was totally spent.

“In saying that I was happy to finish the 90 but it's not my game plan. I like to get forward and I wasn't able to what with the long flight and also just having a couple of sessions with the boys.”

Ceccoli says the short-term deal was about “getting his name back out there.”

“In Japan's it's a little quicker than the A-League but that also has to do with the temperatures here. Here it can be a bit slower," he added.

Ceccoli was also happy to see his former A-League teammates ramping up their finals hopes.

“Sydney doesn't need an outstanding manager – the boys who are there have the pedigree," said Ceccoli.