Experienced Sydney FC forward Kosta Barbarouses cannot wait to make his A-League Men return against former club Wellington on Saturday.
The New Zealand international hasn’t featured so far in the 2021-22 season after fracturing an ankle in training, an injury he admits has been frustrating to overcome.
“It’s the most football I’ve missed in my pro career actually,” Barbarouses said.
“It was a bit foreign to begin with actually and you don’t really get used to missing games.
“You’re eager to get back out there and help the boys. I think they’ve done extremely well in the past few weeks to deal with injuries and players missing with the national team as well. I’m happy to be joining them again.”
It’s fitting that Barbarouses will make his comeback against the Phoenix, the club where he began his career in 2007 as a 17-year-old.
Both teams head into the match at Leichhardt Oval in good form, with Sydney unbeaten in four matches having not lost to the Phoenix since former Sky Blue Ufuk Talay took over as Wellington’s coach.
The Phoenix meanwhile have turned their season around in recent weeks, winning four of their past five matches and scoring 10 goals in the process to go level on points with the Sky Blues on the ladder.
“They’ve been fantastic the last few weeks and we sort of play a similar way structure-wise,” Barbarouses said.
“It’s always a good game against them.
“I’ve always said that they were a good side and they’re no different now.
“They’re really dangerous on the counter, especially this year. They sit back a little bit bit more than they have been and it’s definitely going to be an interesting game.”
Barbarouses will make his return from the bench for the Sky Blues, but Steve Corica is set to alter the starting XI from last weekend’s 1-1 draw against Western United.
Paulo Retre’s fifth card of the season in that match means he’ll be suspended but Anthony Caceres and Harry Van der Saag are available after missing the clash with Western due to gastro.
Socceroo Mustafa Amini is also pushing for selection after his own ankle injury while Andrew Redmayne could return after being overlooked for Thomas Heward-Belle in goal for Sydney’s past two matches.
Saturday’s game will be the 100th ALM appearance for Phoenix captain Alex Rufer.
