Fowler closes in on Fury debut

Finally injury-free, superstar Robbie Fowler is set to make his long-awaited debut
for A-League newcomers the North Queensland Fury in a fortnight.
And it appears it couldn't come soon enough for a Fury outfit yet to find the back
of the net in four pre-season losses against A-League opposition.
Fury coach Ian Ferguson lived up to his side's name after their latest loss - a 4-0
thumping at the hands of Sydney FC at Cronulla last Saturday night.
It ensured North Queensland had conceded 11 goals in their four pre-season games.
Fury chairman Don Matheson said the plan was to unleash Liverpool legend Fowler on
their Perth trip - starting with a July 15 clash against English Premier League
outfit Wolverhampton Wolves.
They also play Perth Glory on July 18.
"He is over his injuries now. It is just a matter of getting him fit," Matheson said
of Fowler who had been battling groin/hip complaints.
"We are sticking a lot of work into him and he is taking everything that we are
throwing at him.
"If we had run him too early we would have missed him for the first round and then
it is chaos.
"He was running around kicking the other day so he is progressing very well."
Matheson said he was disappointed with recent results, describing the heavy loss to
Sydney FC as "not good enough".
But the Fury boss conceded their huge pre-season campaign had taken its toll.
North Queensland play their only home game in their 10-match pre-season program
against Brisbane Roar on July 26.
Their pre-season campaign continues against Adelaide United in Darwin on Thursday.
"It has made for a bit of a horror start for us," Matheson said.
"But in fairness if we had a chance to re-do our pre-season draw we would probably
do it differently - these guys have been doing a massive road trip every weekend.
"We've had six weeks on the road and it has probably flattened them a bit, and that
was quite evident the way they finished off (against Sydney FC).
"But it has helped us work on how we travel which is going to be a big issue for us
during the season - we would rather work on that and make mistakes now."
North Queensland are also hoping to welcome high profile players Jacob Timpano,
James Robinson and Ufuk Talay into the side for Perth.
They are also hoping to know more in the next 24 hours on their final international
squad position, which was vacated by Brazilian Felipe earlier this month.
"This afternoon we put a proposal to a overseas-based lad. He is a guy who will suit
Fergie's playing style and his history shows he will bring a lot to the A-League,"
Matheson said.