Dean Heffernan, one of Central Coast Mariners’ most important players, is on the verge of an A-League recall.
Almost a year after suffering a broken leg against Sydney at Gosford, Heffernan is now pushing hard for a start in Lawrie McKinna’s squad for one of the club’s most important games of the campaign.
Heffernan played the full 90 minutes as the Mariners National Youth League team beat Queensland on Saturday.
With another strong week of training under his belt Heffernan will be a chance to play in Saturday’s match against Sydney at Bluetongue Stadium.
“It’s just great to be back playing again after the bad run I’ve had since breaking the leg,” Heffernan said.
“I’ve had a lot of setbacks but it’s feeling pretty good now, my match fitness is slowly getting better.”
While he is unlikely to start, Heffernan is a chance to come off the bench in a game the Mariners have to win.
Despite showing plenty of fight to come from behind in recent weeks the Mariners are now in fifth place and need the win, especially at home.
Central Coast missed in-form striker Matt Simon in the weekend’s 1-1 draw with Queensland.
Simon has been battling a knee injury and is no certainty to play against Sydney with a decision likely to be delayed until late in the week.
Defender Andrew Clark is fully recovered from a shoulder injury and will be battling for a place in the squad.
