Former Walsall captain Mark Hughes could be regretting his decision to tear up his contract offer from Walsall after the club he has signed for in Australia have had to be bailed out by the Football Federation during pre-season, after overreaching themselves by signing former Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler.

North Queensland Fury, who signed Hughes following his decision to reject a contract offer from Walsall, are reportedly in severe financial difficulties following their owner and sole-investor Don Matheson’s decision to pull out of the loss making club.  Fury, who lost Fowler to Perth Glory in the close season, are said to have needed a $1.5 million bail out from the FFA, and Matheson revealed that the club was making a loss in the region of $40,000 a week.

Hughes will be facing a difficult season ahead, as Fury are expected to finish no higher than the bottom two in the A-League, and whilst the lifestyle and weather may be an improvement on life at WS1, the footballing side of things may prove to be a testing time ahead for the 23 year old.