<p class="title">Sprint superstar Usain Bolt looks set to make his first start as a professional footballer Friday, a challenge he said could determine if he has a future in the sport of his boyhood dreams.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Bolt said the coach of his Central Coast Mariners, Mike Mulvey, had indicated he would be in the starting line-up in a friendly against Macarthur South West United in Sydney.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"For me, that's always a good step, when the coach is satisfied with your fitness to put you in the starting line up -- that's always a big step," Bolt told Mariners' club media Wednesday.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"I am just happy to get the chance and go out there and start, and do my best because that is the key thing."</p>.<p class="bodytext">The eight-time Olympic champion made his footballing debut in late August in a 20-minute cameo as a substitute on the left wing, nearly scoring but tiring quickly. Bolt said he had improved his fitness since, and expected to spend more time up front.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"My movement and my touch is much better now," he said. "I've learnt how to set my body and where to place the ball." The A-League has been struggling in recent years with fewer fans and dwindling TV ratings, with football chiefs hoping the arrival of big names like Bolt will boost local interest.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The 100m world record holder said he expected some nerves when out on the pitch, but was excited by the opportunity to prove his worth as a footballer.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"This will be a big game. I think it will determine if the club makes up its mind on what to do with my career. So for me it's a very important game," he said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"I'm looking forward to prove myself." </p>
<p class="title">Sprint superstar Usain Bolt looks set to make his first start as a professional footballer Friday, a challenge he said could determine if he has a future in the sport of his boyhood dreams.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Bolt said the coach of his Central Coast Mariners, Mike Mulvey, had indicated he would be in the starting line-up in a friendly against Macarthur South West United in Sydney.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"For me, that's always a good step, when the coach is satisfied with your fitness to put you in the starting line up -- that's always a big step," Bolt told Mariners' club media Wednesday.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"I am just happy to get the chance and go out there and start, and do my best because that is the key thing."</p>.<p class="bodytext">The eight-time Olympic champion made his footballing debut in late August in a 20-minute cameo as a substitute on the left wing, nearly scoring but tiring quickly. Bolt said he had improved his fitness since, and expected to spend more time up front.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"My movement and my touch is much better now," he said. "I've learnt how to set my body and where to place the ball." The A-League has been struggling in recent years with fewer fans and dwindling TV ratings, with football chiefs hoping the arrival of big names like Bolt will boost local interest.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The 100m world record holder said he expected some nerves when out on the pitch, but was excited by the opportunity to prove his worth as a footballer.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"This will be a big game. I think it will determine if the club makes up its mind on what to do with my career. So for me it's a very important game," he said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"I'm looking forward to prove myself." </p>