Usain Bolt heading to Campbelltown for next Mariners trial with goals and minutes on his mind

A Central Coast Mariners trial on October 12 against Macarthur South West United at Campbelltown Stadium will provide Usain Bolt with his second taste of match action. 

The sprint king is expected to take the field against a select side from the Macarthur and South West region - which is aiming to be included in an expanded A-League. 

Bolt, who played his first minutes for the Mariners last month, is hoping for more game time after playing just 20 minutes against a Central Coast select side.

"I'm definitely excited and if I get to start it will be a big thing for me,” Bolt said. 

“It would show that the work that I’ve been putting in is really paying off and the coach has confidence in me – so that would be a big step for me.

“I feel like I’m improving. My touch is getting better, I’ve got a while to go but with more training and more dedication to my craft I will be fine.

“Getting more minutes in games is the aim. I think that’s the aim for any football player, you want to play as much as you can. For me, I am really looking forward to October 12th and like always, going out there and doing my best. Hopefully my best is good enough." 

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While more minutes are the priority right now, Bolt also has one eye on bagging some goals for the club giving him the chance to become a footballer.

Deployed on the left wing last time out, the Jamaican was getting in dangerous positions and will be hoping to make the most of his runs in his next match.

“For me to score, it would be a big thing," he said.

"The Central Coast Mariners took a chance on me and the best way that I can pay them back is to score goals.

"If I could score a goal for this club, that would mean I am heading in the right direction and showing the club that their chance in me is paying off. It would take a lot of pressure off me, as an attacker it’s something that would be good but for me I am just going to work, push myself and hope everything comes together when it matters." 

Set to be given up to 12 months to prove he can cut it as a footballer for the Mariners, Bolt is improving according to coach Mike Mulvey.

“Usain is progressing and that’s the main thing," Mulvey said. 

"From the outset, we said he needed time, we said we would give him 12 months if need be.

"A reasonable assumption would be that around January we should be judging where he’s at. We’re going to be ramping up our individual sessions with him over the next few weeks, so he will be given every opportunity." 

Though no confirmation as yet, it's expected the match will be televised by Fox Sports following the success of Bolt's first match.