Heather Garriock was looking forward to this week’s Westfield W-League clash at Campbelltown Stadium, but instead she’ll be sitting on the sidelines as her team-mates fight to return to the winners list.
Heather Garriock was looking forward to this week-s Westfield W-League clash with the Newcastle Jets at Campbelltown Stadium.
A South-West Sydney local herself, the FC captain was excited about bringing the game to her home area, but Garriock has been forced to put those aspirations on hold for now as she undergoes rehabilitation for inflamed muscles in her leg and hip.
“It-s an overuse injury, so it came on suddenly after the Perth game and got worse going into the Melbourne game,” explained the Australian representative.
After being advised to play only one half of the game against the Victory, Garriock proved a key part in Sydney-s resurgence to come back from a goal down to win the game.
“I just wanted to keep going and then I just flared it up. It-s a fairly bad injury. I should be out for quite some time.”
Garriock has long battled hip problems and is treating her rehabilitation program as the number one priority and taking all necessary steps to get back on the field.
“I-ve done more rehab than I-ve ever done in my life just to try and be a part of this W-League because it means so much to me and being part of it is important,” said the 25-year-old.
The midfielder is optimistic about overcoming her injury despite being frustrated about missing the next few games.
“The goal is to, probably in the next 2-3 weeks, be back. That-s being ambitious maybe but in saying that, I-m that kind of person,” she said. “I need to do the hard yards rehab wise to make it. W-League is a priority, so is Sydney of course.”
Sydney FC-s women will continue their campaign without their captain at 4pm on Saturday, and they-ll be keen to defend their place at the top of the table against Newcastle after falling to their first defeat, on the road last weekend.
The contest will be game one of a Westfield W-League double header at Campbelltown Stadium.
Entry to the ground will be free of charge, and the match will also be broadcast live on the ABC.
