Newcastle Jets striker Edson Montano says he hopes to be ready to play within a week after joining his Jets teammates at training for the first time on Monday morning.
The Ecuadorian striker arrived in Newcastle on Sunday and will travel with the Jets to Townsville for next week’s pre-season tournament involving fellow Hyundai A-League sides Brisbane Roar and Sydney FC and NPL outfit Northern Fury FC.
Speaking through teammate Marcos Flores, who acted as a translator, Montano told media on Monday that he has continued training in Ecuador in recent months in order to maintain his fitness levels ahead of his move to Australia.
“The season in Ecuador had finished, so after I’d signed the contract with Newcastle Jets I was just waiting to come to Australia,” Montano said.
“While I waited I’ve been training to try and keep my fitness levels up and I’m feeling good.”
Montano said he felt he would be ready for some form of game time once he had overcome his travel-related fatigue.
“It is up to the coach when he thinks I am ready to play, but I will use the first week to adapt to the time difference and jet lag and hopefully I will be ready soon,” Montano said.
Montano said his first impressions of his new Club and the Hyundai A-League had been a positive one.
“I could feel a really good energy and I could see it was a really happy group,” Montano said.
“Everyone was giving their best at training and I’m excited to be a part of it.
“I’ve read about the A-League and looked at some of the players who have been here in the past, like Emile Heskey, who is a player I look up to.
“I know a few things about Australian football and I know it will be competitive here.
“The league in Ecuador was very tough and I was playing for one of the strongest teams there in Barcelona SC, so I hope that will help me to adapt quickly to Australia.”
Montano said he aims to help the Jets this season by finding the back of the net regularly.
“I am a striker that is strong and powerful and I try to play with good technique,” Montano said.
“My main focus is to score as many goals as I can for the Newcastle Jets.”
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