Sydney FC’s Rhyan Grant returned to action at the weekend as he completed 45 minutes for the Foxtel National Youth League squad against Adelaide United.
Grant, returning from a ruptured ACL suffered in October 2013, believes the injury was a good lesson for him as he sets his sights on returning to the form that saw him crowned Sydney FC’s Players’ Player of the Year for the 2012/13 season and a Foxtel A-League All Stars spot.
“It was really tough sitting out,” he said.
“Especially when I first did it and found out I was going to be out or 6-9 months. It ended up being 12 months which was pretty devastating.
“Watching the boys every week was hard. You get used to it but it’s been hard this season especially because the boys have been doing so well and it’s going to be hard to get back into the team.
“It was also a good learning curve, everything happens for a reason. It’s now just about getting back and doing the best I can.”
Grant is hopeful of forcing his way back into Head Coach Graham Arnold’s plans as he strives to hopefully play in a finals game for the first time after missing previous final series’ through injury.
“I’m very hopeful of getting back in the squad but everyone knows how well the boys have been playing and the depth we have in the squad,” he said.
“I’m happy to just be back playing in general and obviously I do want to get back in the team but I’ll just have to bide my time. It’d be pretty unfair if I was to get back straight away after 12 months out.
“It’ll be a hard decision for Arnie but hopefully I can fit in there even if it’s 5 minutes off the bench, that’ll be good for me, but I’m happy to wait,” he continued.
“First and foremost my goal is to get back in the team. Firstly on the bench and then back in the starting team and then obviously for the team to keep doing what we’re doing and go all the way.
“I don’t think I’ve ever played a finals game for Sydney due to injury and other things so that would be great if I got to do that.”
Sydney FC will contest the beyondblue cup this Saturday 22nd November against the Melbourne Victory in an age old rivalry of the Hyundai A-League. Gates open at 6pm for a 7:30pm kick off at Allianz Stadium.
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