AFTER six weeks proving himself on the training paddock, controversial goalkeeper Mark Bosnich has finally reached his goal of winning a short-term guest stint with the Central Coast Mariners.

The deal will have the former Manchester United keeper available for seven games, stretching from Saturday night's clash with Sydney FC at Bluetongue Stadium through to the Mariners' round-eight encounter against Wellington Phoenix.

But Bosnich is likely to start in only five of those matches, with first-choice keeper Danny Vukovic's suspension ruling him out only from round three until round seven. That means Bosnich's first start for the Mariners is likely to be in Brisbane against Queensland Roar on August 31.

As he had been throughout his comeback, Bosnich, 36, remained steadfastly dignified and modest when the deal was announced yesterday, saying he was not looking beyond extending his deal for the moment.

"Originally when it was first propositioned to me, it was only for the five weeks while Danny was suspended, so I'm just taking it step by step," Bosnich said.

"This is just a little tick in the box, and I'm very thankful to everybody at Central Coast.

"Everybody has made me feel so welcome to come back and perform in a really good environment, and I'm just looking forward to playing each of the five games and then we'll see where things lie.

"There's a feeling of anticipation, very similar to when I arrived here six weeks ago. I think it's good to have a few nerves and butterflies, it shows you're alive."

Looking significantly leaner and fitter than when he first trained with the Mariners, Bosnich said he had lost five kilograms already and hoped to shed another five in coming weeks. "Training has been very difficult, and so it should be, and quite testing as well," he said. "When you've been out for so long there's always a danger that coming back into that intensity of training can maybe put you off, but I've actually enjoyed it. I think the time I've had out of the game has actually helped me in the long term and I feel very, very fit.

"I've still got a long way to go, though, and I think that will come with match practice."

Bosnich is likely to head home to London at the conclusion of the guest stint to sort out his personal affairs, leaving the club with ample time to consider a long-term deal if his form warrants it.

The former Socceroo, who watched last Friday's match against Newcastle from the stands, said while the first half was a little drab, everything he'd seen since had been impressive.

"I thought, from a spectator's point of view, the first half was very slow, but the second half picked up and Newcastle had a great period of 25 to 30 minutes where they battered us a little bit," he said. "But, in the end, I thought a draw was a fair result and the second half was excellent."

"I also watched the Wellington and Queensland match, and that was a super game. If that's anything to go by, the excitement and the profile is very different for me. I think it's fantastic.

"Without being disrespectful to past players or the past league [NSL], I remember a different type of game. It's progressed a long way."

Mariners executive chairman Lyall Gorman said Bosnich had exceeded all expectations during his stay, adding the club were keen to use the star keeper's profile in not only promotion and marketing, but in mentoring and charity work.

"In the six weeks Mark's been on the coast, his on- and off-field ambassadorship has been second to none," Gorman said.

"He's been an inspiration to our players and has brought a new level of self-belief confidence into our current playing squad. Not just for our goalkeepers, but across the board, he's made a tremendous impact and also in the community.

"It's an opportunity for Mark to rehabilitate his football career on and off the park, and we're proud to be part of that process."

Meanwhile, Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium is the venue for the Socceroos' first round-four World Cup qualifier, against Qatar, on October 15. The remaining three qualifiers are likely to be shared between Sydney and Melbourne.