MICHAEL Theo wants to take two years of frustration out on his former club Melbourne Victory by cementing himself as Brisbane Roar’s first-choice goalkeeper in Friday week’s A-League season opener at Suncorp Stadium.

But the 35-year-old custodian might not get the chance.

One of Roar coach John Aloisi’s tougher selection choices next week will be whether to recall five-time championship-winner Theo or stick with Jamie Young, who has made 44 A-League appearances in the past two years.

Both have shared time during the pre-season. Theo was between the posts in the Roar’s 2-0 FFA Cup loss to Perth last month and was a standout last week when Brisbane turned the tables with a 4-0 thrashing of the Glory in a behind-closed-doors trial.

Brisbane Roar Keepers Michael Theo (left) and Jamie Young. Source: News Corp Australia

Young returned from a finger injury last Saturday to play a full 90 minutes in the Roar’s 3-1 win over a NPL Queensland under-23 select squad.

“I haven’t made my decision yet on who will start against the Victory,” Aloisi said.

“They’re pushing each other hard at training and that’s what we want.

“I’m spoilt that I’ve got two of the best goalkeepers in the country to choose from.”

Theo, who has made just 13 A-League appearances in the past two seasons because of a string of injuries and Young’s emergence, is desperate to re-establish himself as the Roar’s top gloveman.

“I’m looking forward to pushing for Round 1 (against the Victory),” he said.

“It’s been a frustrating two years. Mentally I feel fantastic, (and) physically, I don’t think I’ve missed a pre-season training session.

“I know when I’ve had a good pre-season it normally leads me into a good season.”

Ex-Socceroo and former A-League goalkeeper of the year Ante Covic said it was a pleasant selection headache for Aloisi to have in choosing either Theo or Young.

“Youngy took his chance when Theo had a bit of a dip, but Theo’s got a hell of a lot of experience and has won five A-League titles,” said Covic, who tasted A-League success with Newcastle Jets and AFC Champions League glory with Western Sydney Wanderers.

Covic does not think Young should be punished for his poor performance in the Roar’s heartbreaking 5-4 season-ending semi-final loss to the Wanderers last season.

However, he suggested it would be anything but a shock if Aloisi opted for Theo.

“You love having players in your team that are winners and Theo’s record proves that he is,” Covic said.

“They have that mentality that can give you that extra 5 per cent that can be the difference between winning and losing.”