Usain Bolt Tim CahillGetty Images

Tim Cahill backs Usain Bolt's A-League experiment

Socceroos legend Tim Cahill has urged perspective on Usain Bolt's A-League experiment, saying the trial should be supported until the Jamaican star is fully fit.

Bolt looked off the pace and appeared to struggle with his aerobic fitness during his debut for Central Coast Mariners in a friendly against a select XI last Friday night - a match which attracted an extraordinary crowd just shy of 10,000.

Speaking during a press conference to announce his farewell Socceroos match against Lebanon in November, Cahill pleaded for critics to be positive about Bolt's adventure Down Under.

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"Usain Bolt is a special case - you have a world commercial class athlete that is probably the biggest faces on planet earth trying to play football - let's embrace that," Cahill said.

"Let's not put too much negativity on the A-League for giving someone a chance."

Mariners coach Mike Mulvey says the club will give the sprint king 12 months to prove he deserves a professional contract.

However, Bolt believes his fitness will peak in four months time and he will have a deal secured before that point.

Cahill lauded the eight-time Olympic gold medallist for his honesty and cited the intense interest around the trial as reason to back it.

"If Usain Bolt admits he is going to be ready in four months, at least he is being honest," he said.

"It's key we put this [experiment] in a special box and take it for what it is."

Bolt's next scheduled match is a friendly against NSW NPL club Wollongong Wolves at WIN Stadium on October 6.

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