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Hot Brisbane reception awaits Melbourne City's Luke Brattan

Brisbane Roar have moved on from Luke Brattan's controversial departure last year as the Melbourne City midfielder prepares to take on his old side for the first time.

Local boy Brattan, a three-time title winner with the Roar, will make his return to Suncorp Stadium as an opposition player in Friday night's A-League clash between the Roar and City.

The 26-year-old had his contract with Brisbane terminated in August last year due to unpaid superannuation but said at the time he'd never play for another A-League club as it would be a "sideways" move.

He then signed for Manchester City but didn't make a single appearance for the Premier League club, and also struggled in an unhappy spell at Bolton Wanderers, before moving to Melbourne on loan earlier this year.

The manner of his exit -- and his eventual destination -- left a bitter taste in the mouth of some Roar officials and it is likely Brattan is in for a hostile reception from an expected bumper crowd at Suncorp Stadium.

But defender Luke DeVere said Brattan won't be in for any special treatment from his ex-teammates.

"Brattsy made a decision that he thought was best for him. Our club's moved past that now," DeVere said on Tuesday.

"We're focused on what we want to do. We won't be treating him any different to any other player.

"What happened in the past has happened, the club's definitely moved on from that.

"We've brought new players in who have added a lot -- last year, Miguel [Corona] did a fantastic job for us, Thomas Kristensen's doing likewise.

"Players can be replaced and the team's done well to do that."

DeVere said there were no extra plans in place to deal with the threats of City's multi-faceted attack, led by strikers Tim Cahill and Bruno Fornaroli.

Cahill should be fresh after he was rested last week while Fornaroli is coming off a blistering double against Adelaide United.

The Uruguayan has now scored 29 goals in 33 games, giving him the best goals-per-game ratio in Australian national league history for players who have featured in more than 20 matches.

"It's just about being switched on and aware of what he can do and making sure you're alert for the whole game so he doesn't create those half-chances." DeVere said.