Roar hunting for two more imports: Aloisi

Brisbane Roar coach John Aloisi wants to sign two more visa players to round out the club's new-look attack for next season.

Brisbane Roar head coach John Aloisi

Brisbane Roar coach John Aloisi wants to sign two more visa players. (AAP)

Brisbane Roar are close to signing two more import attackers - including a marquee player - to round out their A-League squad for next season, coach John Aloisi says.

The Roar kicked off pre-season training at Ballymore on Thursday morning with two new faces, versatile off-season recruits Fahid Ben Khalfallah and Corey Gameiro, on deck.

They will soon be joined by a striker and a winger from overseas, with Aloisi confirming one of them would take up the marquee position left vacant by Tommy Oar's move to Cypriot giants APOEL.

"We'll get a marquee. We're looking, there's quite a few names coming through and we're confident we'll be able to fill that (marquee) spot," Aloisi told reporters on Thursday.

"We feel that if we bring the right people in, we'll have enough depth so that when we qualify for the Champions League, we'll have a lot of depth."

The new players will complete a new-look Roar attack following the departures of Oar, Jamie Maclaren (SV Darmstadt), Brandon Borrello (Kaiserslautern) and Thomas Broich (released) from last season's squad.

Former Socceroos attacker Brett Holman is the club's only current marquee player, while Ben Khalfallah and Thomas Kristensen are the only imports on the books.

Brisbane have also re-signed teenage defender Dane Ingham, who has just returned from representing New Zealand at the Confederations Cup, for a further three seasons.

Gameiro, meanwhile, has stunned the Roar's coaching staff with his physical condition as he attempts to get his career back on track after three knee reconstructions in four seasons.

"We did a little bit of testing the last couple of days and the medical staff were very surprised how good he's moving and how quick he still is," Aloisi said of the 24-year-old, who is at his fourth A-League club after stints with Wellington, Sydney FC and Melbourne City.

"I'm excited. Like Jamie Maclaren and Brandon Borrello, I've got a soft spot for young talented Australians that really want to do well. It's an opportunity for him and that's all we can give.

"Hopefully it all goes well for him. For me it's not even a risk because he's someone that has been talented, and has still got that talent."

The Roar will meet Melbourne Victory in the FFA Cup's round of 32 on August 9 at Perry Park.


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Source: AAP



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