Tobago-born lines up in ‘A’ League

McCloughan suffered an adductor tear late in Queensland’s 1-0 A-League upset of Melbourne last Friday night.

But Bleiberg will have attack rather than defence on his mind when he looks for McCloughan’s replacement before taking on ladder leader Sydney at Aussie Stadium on Sunday.

In a bid to break the Roar’s goal drought, Bleiberg said he would spend this week running the rule over two strikers and an exciting midfielder.

The contenders are ex-Perth dangerman Stuart Young, former Trinidad and Tobago Under-23 striker Kevin Nelson and late addition Goran Talevski, direct from Croatian club Hadjuk Split and formerly of ex-NSL clubs Sydney United and Marconi.

Nelson, 26, played professionally in his native Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela and Canada before initially arriving in Australia as a potential replacement for Adelaide’s retired midfielder Aurelio Vidmar then linking with Queensland. He has played for San Juan Jabloteh, Doc’s Khelwalaas, Caracas FC in Venezuela and the Ottawa Wizards in Canada.

Born in Tobago he won the Intercol title with Signal Hill in 1996 and represented Trinidad and Tobago at Under-16, Under-20 and Under-23 (Olympic team) and scores a total of 13 goals.

Nelson also has had short stints in Germany, Belgium and England. He is regarded as a quick, strong striker who loves to take on defenders. He can screen the ball well and loves to score goals.

Queensland are fifth on the A-League ladder just one point outside the top four and four behind leaders Sydney. But the Roar has notched just 11 goals in as many matches this season— the second worst in the league and trailing only cellar dweller New Zealand (seven).