Usain Bolt set for make-or-break trial game with Central Coast Mariners a week before start of A League season
The eight-time Olympic gold medallist is still training with the A-League side as he aims to turn professional
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USAIN BOLT has admitted Friday's trial match is likely to be crucial in determining whether he will realise his dream of becoming a professional footballer or not.
The eight-time Olympic gold medallist, 32, is training with the Central Coast Mariners in Australia as he chases a full-time contract.
Mariners coach Mike Mulvey has previously said that he would decide Bolt's fate around Christmas time, or January at the absolute latest.
However, speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Bolt believes the game against a select Macarthur South West United team is make-or break for him.
He said: "This is going to be a big game. I think it will determine if the club makes up its mind on what to do with my career."
With Mulvey likely to play a strong line-up, Bolt is eager to show how much improvement he has made by working with the first team - hinting at a positional change for the crunch encounter.
The retired track great was used as a winger in his first brief trial appearance back in August.
Bolt added: "(Mulvey) said he wants to play me up top more.
"The couple of games that I played, I didn't play with the first team.
"There's a few first-team boys in the team for Friday.
"So I'll get different service, better service, because they're more seasoned and more mature.
"So he just told me to make sure I'm focused and push myself, and I'll just take the chances when I get them."
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