He hasn’t played for seven months but Sydney FC defender Pascal Bosschaart has challenged coach Ian Crook to throw him straight into the inaugural Sydney derby.
He hasn’t played for seven months but Sydney FC defender Pascal Bosschaart has challenged coach Ian Crook to throw him straight into the inaugural derby against Western Sydney Wanderers.
Bosschaart ruptured his Achilles tendon late last season and has been a notable absentee as the Sky Blues slumped to consecutive losses to open the new campaign, conceding five goals in the process.
Desperate to stop the leaks, and with centre-back Adam Griffiths injured, Crook is almost certain to recall the Dutchman for the first all-Sydney derby at Parramatta Stadium on Saturday night.
“I’m on track and happy to again be part of the squad,” Bosschaart said after Sydney completed a 90-minute training session on Thursday.
“I haven’t played a proper match for seven months so it’s going to be hard for me but I like challenges.”
Crook is undecided whether to start Bosschaart or bring him off the bench, with a final assessment to be made on Friday.
“He’s got an opportunity (to start). We’ll certainly have a look at that and probably make a decision more on that tomorrow when we see how he pulls up,” Crook said.
“He’s been training great and working hard and it’s good to have him back in.
“We’ve had one negative (Griffiths’ injury) and one positive with Pascal.”
Seb Ryall is an almost certain starter at the back after impressing off the bench in the second half of last week’s loss to Newcastle.
Sydney are still awaiting their first points of the season after consecutive losses to Wellington and the Jets while the Wanderers have a draw and a loss after two rounds.
The derby is a sell-out, with Crook predicting a ‘full-blooded’ affair between the clubs despite their lack of history.
