Oueensland Roar coach Miron Bleiberg has backed Chinese recruit Zhang Yuning to shine for the A-League club despite his slow adjustment to the competition.

Bleiberg said he had faith in the 29-year-old Chinese international's ability to bring an added dimension to Queensland's attack despite the doubts of Zhang's detractors.

The Roar boss said Zhang would take time to adjust to the rigours of Australian football but believed he would find peak fitness at the right time in the championship race.

"Give Zhang a few more games and he will be a hit," Bleiberg said after Queensland's 1-1 with the Central Coast Mariners at Brisbane's Lang Park on Saturday.

"The quality was there to be seen, but the lack of fitness was (also) there to be seen.

"It will take some time to build an understanding with his team-mates, but he's good, he's quality."

Zhang faded in and out of Saturday's game but showed some neat touches and a sense of positioning.

Zhang's cause will be helped by the continued absence of teenager Dario Vidosic, who will be away for two more weeks contesting the Asian Youth Championships with Australia in India.

(AFP October 30, 2006)