Sydney FC captain Alex Wilkinson has been named in the Sydney FC squad to face Western United on Saturday as the Sky Blues seek a third consecutive win against the Victorian outfit.
Wilkinson has missed three months through a pelvic injury but his return provides Head Coach Steve Corica with greater options in defence.
“It’s nice to be back involved in the squad, it’s felt like a long time for me ever since the first game when I got injured,” Wilkinson said.
“I’ve worked hard to get back involved now and hopefully I can stay involved for the rest of the season.”
Back in training, the skipper completed an internal match with the Sydney FC Academy last Friday, building towards his Isuzu UTE A-League return.
“The physios and the medical department have done a great job of rehabbing me and getting me back to a space where I can be back involved in the squad,” Wilkinson explained.
“I’ve been involved with team training for a week or two so it’s just been nice to be back amongst all the boys.
“Rehab can be pretty lonely at times, you’re by yourself a lot and doing a lot of things on your own just with the physio.”
Pushing for a spot in the finals, Wilkinson will be eager to shore up the Sydney FC defence as the Sky Blues travel to Tasmania to face John Aloisi’s United in the first ever A-League match at North Hobart Oval.
Sydney FC previously played out a 1-1 draw at the same venue in a pre-season friendly against Melbourne Victory in August 2014, with Max Burgess making his first team debut for the harbourside club.
“I played down there a while ago when I was at the Mariners, it must be 10 or so years ago now but that was in Launceston so I don’t think I’ve ever played a game in Hobart,” said Wilkinson.
“It’ll be nice to get down there and spread the game, I think they’d love to have a team down there at some stage in the A-League so hopefully a lot of supporters can come out and watch the game and support the A-League.”
