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McKay expects warm welcome for Murdocca

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Brisbane Roar midfielder Matt McKay expects his good friend and former team mate Massimo Murdocca to receive a generous reception when he returns to Suncorp Stadium on Sunday.

Brisbane Roar midfielder Matt McKay expects his good friend and former team mate Massimo Murdocca to receive a generous reception when he returns to Suncorp Stadium on Sunday.

After 162 games for the Roar, including two Hyundai A-League Championship victories, Murdocca signed a two year deal with the Melbourne Heart in the off-season.

While Murdocca will appear in enemy colours this Sunday, McKay believes his former midfield companion will be warmly welcomed by the Roar supporters.

ā€œI think he will be the first player in history to come back and be applauded for what he has done,ā€ McKay said.

ā€œHe-s a great player, but more importantly he is a great guyā€.

ā€œThe Den respects him and I-m sure he-ll get some support on the weekend.ā€

Murdocca said that while he is looking forward to returning to Brisbane, he wouldn-t lose focus of the real task at hand.

ā€œI-m going to enjoy the experience, it-s the first time I-ve played against my old team,ā€ Murdocca said.

ā€œI have a lot of respect for the boys and they have a lot of respect for me.

ā€œBut it-s just another game at the end of the day.ā€

Meanwhile, Roar Head Coach Mike Mulvey has thrown his support behind the club-s younger players, insisting that his squad has the depth to cover for the injured Shane Stefanutto (hamstring), Besart Berisha (hamstring) and Liam Miller (calf).

ā€œThe issue of depth is always going to be a question that people will ask,ā€ Mulvey said.

ā€œBut I am very comfortable and very confident with the group of players we have hereā€.

ā€œWe-ve got a strong team on the field on Sunday and I have every bit of faith in the players who wear the orange shirt.ā€

Murdocca said that the Melbourne Heart would look to capitalise from Brisbane-s injury toll.

ā€œIt-s a massive positive for us for sure,ā€ he said.

ā€œWe have a few injuries ourselves, but definitely not as much as them, and we-re going to use that for sure.ā€

Sunday, 3 November 2013
Brisbane Roar v Melbourne Heart
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Kick-off:
4:00pm Brisbane time
Referee: Lucien Laverdure
Tickets: http://bit.ly/Maaaate