Injured left-sided defender Nicole Sykes is fit and raring to go after being selected in the Canberra United squad that travels to Newcastle this weekend to tackle the Jets at Energy Australia Stadium.
Injured left-sided defender Nicole Sykes is fit and raring to go after being selected in the Canberra United squad that travels to Newcastle this weekend to tackle the Jets at Energy Australia Stadium.
Sykes has missed the opening four matches of Season Three of the Westfield W-League after suffering a broken foot during the off-season but after months of rehabilitation is back and ready for action in Week Six.
“I broke my foot, a few metatarsals and a couple of ligaments! It-s been a long road to recovery but I-m back now and really excited about the chance of being involved again,” Sykes said.
“It-s been really tough to sit back and watch the team and not be able to help but they-ve down really well but I-m looking forward to getting out there and having a hit out too. It-s looking positive for this weekend. It was kind of frustrating not being able to give them a hand. I think they did really well against Adelaide last week. It was very exciting to see them convert all the things we-ve been training on and put four early goals away. We-ve pushed hard in all the games and I can-t wait to get out there and have a go myself.”
Nicole will get the chance to line-up against former Canberra United players Thea Slatyer, Kara Mowbray, Sasha McDonnell and Hayley Crawford on Saturday with the quartet now taking to the field in the gold of the Jets.
“It will be interesting to see how they go with the ex-United players in their team. It will be a good hit-out and I-m sure there will be a lot of competiveness out there, but we-ll be keen to put one over on them,” she commented.
Looking further ahead Canberra faces the unique proposition of international opponents on Tuesday 14th December when South Korea ‘B- provides the opposition at Deakin Stadium for an International Challenge match.
“I think they will put up a really good challenge for us,” Sykes said. “Korean teams are usually good on the ball and skillful. We-ve never had a game against an international team so it will be good experience for us. It-ll be interesting as I-m sure it will be a totally different style of football to what we are playing in the Westfield W-League each week. But it will be a great build up to the Brisbane game and a chance for me to perhaps get some more minutes under my belt.”
Canberra United-s match with Newcastle Jets on Saturday 11th December will be broadcast LIVE on ABC1 with kick off at 3pm and The Tradies club will be showing the game on its big screen in the new lounge at the renovated club. Some light snacks and drinks vouchers will be provided by Canberra United for guests who wish to watch the match with their fellow supporters.
