Carney returns to Sydney FC line-up

Sydney FC’s Socceroo midfielder David Carney will make a surprise return to action just nine weeks after having a shoulder reconstruction when Sydney FC takes on the New Zealand Knights at Aussie Stadium on Friday night.

Carney comes back into the side at a time when Sydney FC desperately needs a win to kickstart its title defence.

The 22-year-old initially injured his right shoulder last year but aggravated the problem when he played for Australia against Kuwait in August.

Carney is expected to start the game on the bench but is itching to get onto the pitch after nine frustrating weeks.

“I can’t wait for Friday night,” Carney said after finishing a training session with his team mates this morning. “I have been in full training for two weeks and I have been given the go ahead to play so it’s all systems go.

“I have found it hard watching, especially as we have struggled a little all year, and I want to get out there and do my bit to help get us back towards the top of the competition.

“The shoulder is fine. The lads have given me a few tackles to test it so it will be able to handle anything they (New Zealand Knights) throw at me on Friday night.”

The 2005/06 Sydney FC Fans Player of the Year also understands the importance of Friday night’s game, indeed the next three home games, as Sydney FC looks to move back up the Hyundai A-League ladder.

“It’s (Friday night’s clash with the Knights) massive,” Carney said. “It’s a make or break game for us on Friday night and the next three games. We have three games at home against New Zealand, Adelaide and Queensland and it is time for us to make our move.

“It’s also great for us to be at home because there is not a team in the A-League that I fear when we play at Aussie Stadium. It is our home and we need to come away from Friday night’s game with a win and then two more against Adelaide and Queensland.”

While Carney will make a return, the comeback of Sydney FC trio Mark Milligan, Steve Corica and Terry McFlynn looks like being put on ice until next weekend.

Sydney FC will also welcome back Captain Mark Rudan, who missed last week’s 1-1 draw with Newcastle through suspension, but with Matthew Bingley suspended, Sydney FC will still be a man down on the bench.

Sydney FC Squad: 1. Clint Bolton (gk), 2. Iain Fyfe, 3. Alvin Ceccoli, 4. Mark Rudan (Captain), 6. Ufuk Talay, 7. Robbie Middleby, 8. Ruben Zadkovich, 9. David Zdrilic, 11. Sasho Petrovski, 12. David Carney, 13. Jeremy Brockie, 14. Alex Brosque, 20. Justin Pasfield, 21. Nikolai Topor-Stanley.

In: David Carney (return from injury), Mark Rudan (suspension). Out: Matthew Bingley (suspended).

New Zealand Knights Squad: 2. Darren Bazeley (Captain), 3. Gregory Duruz, 4. Che Bunce, 6. Neil Emblen, 8. Scot Gemmill, 11. Jonti Richter, 12. Mark Paston (gk), 14. Malik Buari, 15. Adam Casey, 16. Noah Hickey, 18. Michael White, 19. Sime Kovacevic, 20. Michael Turnbull (gk) 26. Fernando 27. Dustin Wells.

In: Neil Emblen (promoted). Out: Hamza Mohammed, Campbell Banks (contracts ended).

A-League Round 12

Sydney FC vs New Zealand Knights
Friday Night, November 10
Aussie Stadium, Sydney
Kick off: 8:00pm (local/AEDT), 10pm (NZDT).

Live Coverage on Fox Sports Three from 7:30pm (AEDT).

Tickets for Sydney FC’s clash with the New Zealand Knights, and every home game, are available through Ticketek by calling 132 849, going into any Ticketek outlet or logging onto www.ticketek.com.au.