Canberra United is set to receive a boost to it’s playing squad ahead of the Westfield W-League semi final versus the Newcastle Jets with midfielder Grace Gill eyeing off a return to action.
Canberra United is set to receive a boost to it-s playing squad ahead of the Westfield W-League semi final versus the Newcastle Jets with midfielder Grace Gill eyeing off a return to action.
The midfielder was one of Canberra-s most consistent players in the opening six rounds before succumbing to injury after innocuously rolling her ankle in the second half versus Sydney FC.
Gill initially conceding that her season was likely over but the amazing win over Melbourne Victory in Round Nine revived the number nine-s hopes of returning this season.
“It was all a bit much at the time, I was devastated at the time to be honest when I did it against Sydney FC, I thought that was my season done after the physiotherapist ruled me out for four weeks,” Gill said.
“I got into the physio really heavily and it came along quite well and then when it came to the Melbourne game, it was going to be do or die for me because if we won it I had a chance to play in the semis but if we didn-t the Queensland game was going to be a really tough test for the girls.”
“As it happened I was a bit more positive after [the win] and have been looking forward to playing ever since.”
Gill took a big step towards returning to football late last week returning to training but confesses that returning to the starting line up will be a tough one with the entire squad competing for starting positions.
“I had my third session last night so it-s been really exciting for me but amongst the other girls it-s been really full on and everyone is really focused.”
“It-s really competitive because everyone is vying for a starting spot and being a week and a half out from the semi final, everyone is really excited and pushing to get there.”
Despite the limited training time between now and the semi final in Newcastle, Gill is confident of being fully fit for the clash on the 10th January at Energy Australia Stadium.
“I-m pretty confident I-ll be 100% by a week and a half, like I said, I-m up to my third training session now.”
“It-s feeling pretty good, I though it was going to swell up a little bit more than it has but it-s still a little bruised so I-m still icing it but I-m happy with how it-s going.”
Squad members have been given a welcome rest with optional training sessions for the remainder of the week to allow for some rest and recuperation ahead of an intense week leading up to the most important match in the club-s short history.
“I think it-s a good break because it-s been a really full on and intense ten weeks but the time off will give myself and a couple of the other girls to not only work hard but relax a little bit and reassess and focus on our next job at hand.”
Canberra United take on the Newcastle Jets on Saturday, 10th January at Energy Australia Stadium with kick off at 4:00pm in the Westfield W-League semi final.
