Wellington Phoenix's newest import signing Youstin Salas is hoping his club's round 17 match against Macarthur Bulls will be the first he gets to impact - and it could be the perfect time for him to get a chance at his preferred position.
The Costa Rica international signed with Wellington in late January but has yet to make an appearance after it took more than a week for him to arrive in the country.
However, after being named in Wellington's extended squad for their upcoming match against third-placed Macarthur in Sydney, Salas, 27, made his intentions clear.
"I'm fit enough to play 90 minutes but it's up to the coach if I do. But if it were my choice, I would play 90 minutes," he said. "I'm... keen to get going."
If head coach Giancarlo Italiano hands Salas his first start, it could be at his preferred right back - the position he played during his two appearances at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
That's because Wellington's current first-choice right-back Tim Payne won't travel with the squad across the Tasman due to an injury.
However, Giancarlo Italiano may have a positional headache when Payne returns.
The All White is in his best season for the club, making vital contributions at the back while adding two goals and three assists on attack. The 30-year-old has started every game he's been available for this season and it would be difficult to make any case for him to be dropped to the bench.
Luckily for Italiano, that may not be a problem. His new signing isn't limited to a single position - having made several appearances in the midfield during his time at former club Deportivo Saprissa.
The Costa Rican also doesn't want to limit his options.
"I've got a lot of fight and determination; I'd do anything to help the team out," he said. "I was looking for an opportunity to move overseas and I thought this was the right one. It's exciting and I'm keen to get going.
"I want to win the championship."
Where to insert Salas may not be Italiano's only difficult decision going forward with the possible return of star import Oskar Zawada.
The Polish striker is expected to travel to Australia with the men, having made a quicker recovery from a groin injury than originally expected.
With Wellington sitting five points ahead on the top of the A-League table, having too many quality players to pick from isn't a problem Italiano will mind having, as he continues to drive the club towards the top.
It's a great time to be a fan of the Wellington Phoenix.
