MELBOURNE Victory is prepared to release Carlos Hernandez on loan to A-League rival Adelaide United for its Asian Champions League campaign.
And Harry Kewell is welcome to seek a loan deal in a bid to maintain match fitness for the Socceroos’ June World Cup qualifiers on the proviso he moves abroad, according to Victory managing director Richard Wilson.
A move to Asia looms as a more plausible option for Hernandez, whose Victory contract expires at the end of the A-League season.
Hernandez said in December he would like to go on loan to stay in contention for Costa Rica’s 2014 World Cup qualifiers against El Salvador and Guyana on June 8 and 12, with Victory’s last regular-season game on March 24.
Adelaide United chairman Greg Griffin confirmed his club’s interest in Hernandez and, though no formal approach has been made, he and other recruiting targets will be discussed at a meeting on Monday.
Victory was open to the prospect of loaning Hernandez to Adelaide and for him to return to Melbourne next season and Wilson believes fans would understand.
"it makes sense in my view, as long as he’s not going to play against us," Wilson said.
"It’s professional sport and the issue for Carlos and Harry is that they’re representing their country and there are World Cup qualifiers coming up.
"We wouldn’t hold a player back from being able to play if it’s for those sorts of reasons, as long as we have insurance in place we wouldn’t have a problem.
"Harry might want to keep playing and he could go overseas. but we have not spoken to Harry about it and he hasn’t raised it either."
Griffin said: "We’ve always liked Hernandez, but I’m pretty sure Victory aren’t going to let him go easily.
"We’ve got a meeting on Monday with the football department to try to work out what sort of player we want and who’s available."
Contract talks have been put on hold since Jim Magilton’s arrival, and the interim coach has been charged with assessing the squad for next season even though his future remains clouded.
Hernandez has played 71 and 63 minutes respectively in his two games under the Northern Irishman.
Adelaide’s 30-man Champions League squad must be submitted by February 6, which is 10 days before the end of the A-League transfer deadline.
But a further five players can be added to its Champions League roster a week out from its opening game on March 7.
Victory is on the verge of signing teenage striker Julius Davies for next season although Victory may try to fast-track it so he is available this campaign.
And Spaniard Ubay Luzardo will be given another week to prove himself, although Victory is still searching elsewhere for reinforcements, with Wilson not ruling out trade deals.
<a href="http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/soccer/melbourne-victory-star-carlos-hernandez-considering-loan/story-e6frfg8x-1226255661484tag:news.google.com,2005:cluster=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/soccer/melbourne-victory-star-carlos-hernandez-considering-loan/story-e6frfg8x-1226255661484Sat, 28 Jan 2012 01:18:36 GMT”>Melbourne Victory star Carlos Hernandez considering loan
