Barbarouses last played for Phoenix in their final game of last season against Central Coast Mariners but coach Ricki Herbert feels the time is now right to give the youngster another taste of action.

He said: “It’s been about 10 months since my last game for Phoenix, so it’s a relief to finally get back in the squad.”

The player himself cannot wait as Phoenix prepare to face Perth on Sunday and then Sydney FC a week later.

He said: "I’m not really nervous at all. Maybe a year ago if I’d been asked whether I would be feeling the pressure I probably would have had to say yes.

"But now I know what to expect. I’m very excited; it’s good to finally get an opportunity and I’ll be looking to make the most of it.

“I knew I had a lot of hard work to do to get into the squad and I’ve been patient, focusing on doing things right at training and waiting for my chance. It’s great that I’m finally in with a chance to get a go.”

Herbert said Barbarouses was due another chance in the Hyundai A-League.

He said: “I spoke to Costa and [Phoenix youth player] Greg Draper six weeks ago and mapped out what I wanted to see.

"Both players stepped up to the mark and the coaching staff felt that someone like Costa could give us some pace and options out wide against Perth and Sydney.

“There’s training and travel and a couple of tough games, so it’ll be an invaluable experience for him."

He added: "He’s an exciting talent and he deserves a chance to have more time playing, which has been difficult given that we don’t have access to the youth league set-up that the other clubs do.”