Returning defender Joseph Mills says the week off has rejuvenated Perth Glory with the squad focused on resurrecting their season by beating Wellington Phoenix on Saturday.
Glory head to New Zealand to face the last-placed Phoenix knowing they need to win to keep their fading Finals Series hopes alive.
Kenny Lowe’s side has lost six of their last seven matches and are currently six points behind sixth-placed Western Sydney Wanderers.
But Mills says having no fixture last weekend enabled the squad to enjoy a longer preparation and the 28-year-old believes that he and his teammates will reap the rewards in the Kiwi capital.
“Having the break gave us time to reflect on what we’ve done this season and work on some things,” he said.
“We’ve still got a third of the season left, so it’s like a mini-season within the season and it’s time to kick on now and propel ourselves towards the finals.
“We know what to expect from Wellington having played them twice already and we’ll focus on that going in.
“We’ve worked really hard in training this week and will be looking to put into practice what we’ve worked on come game day.”
The Englishman is hoping to force his way back into the starting line-up having missed Glory’s last match through suspension.
Glory have become renowned in recent seasons for producing late surges into the finals and Mills admits they must start their run now.
“If we don’t start now, two or three games can drift by and we’ll be playing catch-up,” Mills warned.
“So we’ll be looking to hit the ground running and if we can go there [to Wellington] and put in a performance, hopefully the result will follow.
“We have a lot of home games still to come and as a club we take a lot of pride from being strong at home.
“So if we can pick up some away points as well, they could prove vital come the end of the season.”
Mills is one of three players set to return to the Glory squad for the Phoenix clash, with Spanish midfielder Andreu Guerao and youngster Jake Brimmer also included to make the trip across the Tasman.
Unfortunately for Perth, winger Chris Harold has succumbed to a quad strain which is expected to keep him out of action for a couple of weeks, while Adam Taggart is still battling his way back from a hamstring injury.
