GOALKEEPER Matt Acton has made a shock return to Brisbane Roar just five months after being told he had no future with the A-League champions.

Acton, 22, was cut loose by the Roar in May after seven years in the club's system.

He made two A-League appearances last season deputising for the injured Michael Theo and it's another injury to Theo (broken wrist) that has opened the door for Acton to sign a short-term deal as cover for the competition's most decorated gloveman.

Acton arrived home last week from a four-month stint with Myanmar National League club Yangon United and trained with the Roar at the weekend.

“The decision to (play for Yangon) has proven to be the right one and helped me grow as a footballer as I've played every week for four months,” Acton told ESPN FC.

“As a foreigner, everyone looks at you for leadership and expects nothing but results and good performances. This has given me the chance to develop great mental strength which I intend to use to my advantage as I continue my career.”

media_camera Matt Acton at Brisbane Roar training.

It was a battle in three to replace Theo in Brisbane's squad between Acton, former Olyroo Michael Turnbull and ex-North Queensland Fury gloveman Seb Usai.

In the end, it's understood that Acton's familiarity with the Roar's style of play and his youth that got him the nod.

Despite the temporary return of Acton, it's Jamie Young, the keeper who replaced him in Brisbane's permanent squad, who is set to start between the posts on Sunday when the Roar start the defence of their A-League title against Adelaide United at Suncorp Stadium.

Young has been hampered by a virus for the past week but Mulvey said the former England youth international would be fit for Sunday's clash.

“Jamie's had some kind of bug but he's back on board now. He'll train fully with the team (today). It'll be good to have him back,” the Roar mentor said.

Mulvey was also adamant skipper Matt Smith would be fit to face the Reds despite having not played a match since late August due mainly to a hamstring complaint.

“I'm very confident he (Smith) will be OK for Sunday,” he said.

Originally published as Roar calls Matt into Act(i)on