The toothy smile is back, now for the goals to go with it.
Big Brazilian striker Reinaldo says he's ready to resume his injury-plagued A-League career for the Roar and re-ignite his partnership with Dutchman Sergio Van Dijk against Adelaide on Friday night.
Adelaide holds good memories for Reinaldo whose sizzling volley two years ago almost to the day was the catalyst for the club's charge to its first finals appearance.Preparing to resume from a hamstring strain, Reinaldo agreed Brisbane badly needed a form turnaround after four losses and a draw amid the sacking of former coach Frank Farina left them near the foot of the table.
"We've not done a good job the last four games, we a need a win to get the confidence back," said Reinaldo.He's hoping he's finally put a string of injures behind him.
"Look mate, the last 11 months for me have been very bad, very sad, a lot of injuries, ankle, osteitis."Hopefully it's finished because I am hungry to play the season."
He dispelled any doubts about making the trip on Thursday after running freely in Brisbane's early summer heat at Ballymore on Wednesday."The players were walking out saying `gee it's hot, gee it's hot' but when you've lived in Melbourne all your life you enjoy this weather," said new coach Ange Postecoglou.
But things will get hotter at Hindmarsh Stadium if his players don't start getting some results."We could be sitting at the bottom of the table after tonight (Wednesday) but you look at the team sitting fourth and they've got one more win than us," Postecoglou said showing no signs of pressure.
Having Reinaldo back will add needed potency to Brisbane's attack."The front third was the area we struggled most with last week, certainly having someone like him coming back is going to help us," said Postecoglou.
"With Serg (Sergio Van Dijk) and Reinaldo up front I think we can have a pretty decent crack at Adelaide."It's not just the front men, we've got to be a bit more positive generally as a team, our midfielders, our wide players."
Postecoglou will have to shuffle his attack again with 20 year-old speedster Tommy Oar away on representative duty."It's a bit of a blow because for the two weeks I've been in charge, he's been close to our most positive player," he said.
