Sydney FC defender Ben Warland said he was buzzing to be back in Sky Blue following his return from injury at the weekend against the Newcastle Jets.
The central defender said he wasn’t expecting to get so many minutes on his return, however an early injury to Jacob Tratt saw Warland thrust into the action in the sixth minute.
While nervous at the start, the South Australian born Sky Blue said he enjoyed every moment of his return at Kogarah.
“I didn’t really see what happened [to Tratt], I was still getting comfy on the bench,” Warland said.
“It was a bit sooner than expected but my foot is fine 100% and nothing really crossed my mind, I was just eager to get on and get into it.
“I got on a bit sooner than I expected but it was a bit better that way, less thinking about it and probably good for the nerves.
“I had a little bit of nerves before I got on the field as I was coming on, but once I was I got involved in the game I was fine. I felt I did ok, first game back, clean sheet and we got the win so that’s the main thing.
“It was good to be back involved with the matchday squad again, even if off the bench, after four months out. I’m just buzzing to be back.”
Warland now has his eyes firmly set on game time, as he described the frustration at having to go through a recovery process following a fine start to pre-season with the Sky Blues in which he scored his first professional goal for the club.
“At the start it was very frustrating, I was in a moon boot and on crutches for the first six weeks so I couldn’t do much,” he said.
“I wasn’t in at training, but once I could walk around, get in the gym and be around the boys it went pretty quick.
“I broke up the recovery a bit, the club were great in letting me go home for a week back to Adelaide so I was back around my family for a bit which was very good for me. Every injury is frustrating in it’s own way but once I got back into it I was good.
“I got my first goal professionally in pre-season and then did my foot at training the day after the FFA Cup Semi-Final. It was very frustrating but it’s part of the game and you’ve just got to get on with it,” he continued.
“I just want to consistently be in the matchday squad now, I’m happy where I am at the moment and I’m just looking forward to the rest of the season.”
Sydney FC face Wellington Phoenix away on Wednesday (kick off 5:35pm AEDT). #WatchWithUs LIVE on Fox Sports 505, streamed on the My Football Live App, or with your fellow Sky Blue faithful at our Official Home Away from Home at The Star, Sydney.
