Former Liverpool winger Nick Rizzo has backed North Queensland Fury signing Robbie Fowler to make an instant impact in the A-League. Rizzo, who played with the Perth Glory this season, played alongside Fowler at Anfield in the late 90s and says the striker would be able to have success in a new and challenging environment.

"He is the best striker of a ball I've ever seen in my career," Rizzo told au.fourfourtwo.com.

"He could smack a ball with no back lift. It's fantastic for the A-League. Unbelievable.

"And he's a nice bloke who always had time for the younger players. I learned a lot from him.

"I think the key to the heat factor is him acclimatising.

"I believe he'll be there [in north Queensland] quite early so I'm sure their conditioning staff will have him ready for the season."