Out of quarantine, mcmanaman makes himself at home with victory

Melbourne Victory's new English import Callum McManaman has finally got out of quarantine and begun training – and he has been given the sort of welcome by his teammates that he would

not have received back home. 'The first day two of the lads took me out for some food, you don't get that in the UK, I was surprised. I didn't really expect that," the

winger said. "I am a few weeks behind the lads. I have been running at home, but it's not the same as training every day. Hopefully I will be flying for the start of the

season." He said his former teammate at Luton Town, Jacob Butterfield, whom Victory have also signed, would quickly make an impact when he arrives. The pair spent last season in the

English Championship. "I was with Jacob last year, he is a very good player on the ball, left and right foot, he can take corners with both feet which is very rare," he said.

"It's a bit strange the way it happened going from Luton to Melbourne, but I think it will help, we have a good relationship on the pitch." The former Premiership winger, who

won an FA Cup final with Wigan Athletic, has been in Melbourne for just a few days after enduring a tortuous period of negotiations, not just with the club but in getting a visa and

clearance to travel. But he is now training with Victory having arrived in Victoria after enduring quarantine in Western Australia. "It's been a long few months getting the signing

over the line," says McManaman, who flew initially from London to Perth via Dubai. "I stayed in Perth for 16 or 17 days, then flew to Melbourne, and I trained this week. "The

first day was 30 degrees, Melbourne Cup Day. I noticed the weather is a bit up and down here," he said, reflecting that he had to move from shorts and a T-shirt to an overcoat 24 hours

later. McManaman is expected to play a key role for new coach Grant Brebner on and off the pitch, where his experience should help Brebner integrate some young players. Michael Lynch is The

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