Former Socceroos defender Alex Wilkinson is ready to make his long-awaited return for a Sydney FC facet determined to cease leaking objectives.
The Sky Blues skipper has travelled to Tasmania for Sydney’s conflict on Saturday in opposition to Western United at North Hobart Oval and is predicted to make his first A-League look since struggling a pelvic damage in his facet’s season-opening 3-2 loss to Melbourne Victory on October 8.
In Wilkinson’s absence, the Sydneysiders have struggled defensively, conceding 21 objectives in 12 video games this season.
“We all know that we’ve been conceding too many objectives,” the 38-year-old centre-back stated.
“That’s one thing as an entire squad that we’re engaged on.”
Wilkinson is determined to play once more after greater than three months on the sidelines.
“Rehab will be fairly lonely at instances. You’re by your self so much and doing lots of issues by yourself simply with the physio – I’m actually excited to be again concerned,” he stated.
“The physios and the medical division have carried out an ideal job of rehabbing me and getting me again to an area the place I will be again concerned within the squad. Hopefully, I can keep concerned for the remainder of the season.”
Wilkinson was adamant the Sky Blues – who’ve misplaced six of their 12 matches this season – might “end the season with a bang”.
“I’m greater than assured we will flip it round with the gamers we’ve obtained within the group,” he stated.
Western United additionally has defensive points heading into Saturday, with the reigning champions conceding a mean of two objectives per recreation this season.
United’s defensive shares have additionally suffered by way of the suspension of centre-back Jacob Tratt, who was despatched off in his facet’s 1-1 draw with the Newcastle Jets in Ballarat final Sunday.
Nevertheless, United’s assault will likely be bolstered by the provision of ex-Socceroo James Troisi, who is ready to return from damage.
United, which has picked up simply 12 factors from 12 video games in what has been an unconvincing title defence, has performed residence matches in Tasmania for the previous two seasons however in Launceston reasonably than Hobart.
Sydney’s Wilkinson additionally beforehand performed in Launceston throughout his time with the Central Coast Mariners however by no means in Tasmania’s capital metropolis.
“It’ll be good to get down there and unfold the sport,” he stated.
“They’d like to have a workforce down there at some point of the A-League, so hopefully lots of supporters can come out to look at the sport and assist the A-League.”
