Rukavytsya in demand
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Perth Glory expect to know by the end of the week whether their bid to lure fringe Socceroos striker Nikita Rukavytsya back to WA has been successful.
Chief executive Jason Brewer has maintained throughout the pre-season the club would not use either of its two vacant marquee spots this season.
He said the existing roster, including Republic of Ireland international Andy Keogh and seven other new recruits, had been signed under the $2.55 million salary cap.
But the possibility of signing Rukavytsya, 27, to partner Keogh up front has changed the club's stance on the eve of the season, which begins on Friday night.
Glory went close to signing Rukavytsya on loan last season and have put a new offer to the striker.
They face opposition for his signature from Asian Champions League finalists Western Sydney Wanderers.
"He's a favourite son of the club and he's got a great relationship with everyone at the club," Brewer said. "We have been talking to both him and his agent about getting him over here for this season and beyond this season.
"We've been putting in various offers to him and we are aware that he's been talking to another club over east.
"He would be a fantastic addition to the club."
Ukranian-born Rukavytsya settled in WA as a 14-year-old.
He broke into Glory's first team five years later, scoring 16 goals in 42 appearances (15 off the bench).
The lightning-fast forward joined FC Twente in Holland in 2009 before moving to Hertha Berlin in 2010.
Despite Mainz signing him for 䚹 million ($1.21 million) in 2012, he made just a handful of appearances and was sent on loan to FSV Frankfurt.
Rukavytsya spent a week on trial at Maccabi Tel Aviv earlier this year, but couldn't reach a deal with the Israeli champions.
Brewer felt a move home was an attractive proposition for Rukavytsya, who is eager to push his case for a Socceroos call-up for next year's Asian Cup.
"He's keen to come back to Australia because he still believes he can break back into the Socceroos," Brewer said.
"We're obviously doing our utmost to try and see how it can work and we'll continue to do that."
Defender Michael Thwaite is likely to be named Glory captain at the club's season launch tomorrow.
The 10th A-League season begins with Melbourne Victory hosting Western Sydney on Friday night at Etihad Stadium.
Glory kick off their new campaign away to Wellington Phoenix on Sunday.
At yesterday's launch, Football Federation Australia boss David Gallop predicted league attendances would break the two- million barrier for the first time and said club membership would top 100,000. DID YOU KNOW? 16 The number of goals former Glory striker Nikita Rukavytsya scored in his 42 appearances for the club
