Perth Glory midfielder Gyorgy Sandor says he’s ready to make a difference following ankle injury

KEY Perth Glory midfielder Gyorgy Sandor has declared he feels match fit ahead of his return from an ankle injury against Adelaide United today.

SPORT - Perth Glory training. Photo by Daniel Wilkins. PICTURED - Gyorgy Sandor.

KEY Perth Glory midfielder Gyorgy Sandor has declared he feels match fit ahead of his return from an ankle injury against Adelaide United today.

Six weeks after his last game, Sandor yesterday joined his teammates on the flight to Adelaide ahead of the bottom-of-the-table tussle with the Reds.

Defender Josh Risdon will aim to make his comeback from injury at home against Central Coast on Saturday after failing to prove his fitness, while Glory could blood ­another youngster after Jacob Collard joined the travelling party. Collard, the 20-year-old youth team captain, will make his A-League debut if he ­receives some minutes from coach Kenny Lowe.

Sandor, the Hungarian ­import who impressed with two A-League goals in three matches before his interruption, said he had confidence in his readiness but did not know if he would start.

“I’ve missed a couple of games, but I’ve done really hard training sessions and they’ve checked the data every day,’’ he said. “The physio and the fitness coach told me I have the match fitness and I’m ready to play.’’

Sandor, 31, said he was thrilled to be back after watching Glory’s struggles during the club’s torrid injury run and he believed the team was still capable of making the finals.

“It’s not about one man, but if I play I will give my all and try to make a difference,’’ he said. “It’s been so bad to be not involved with the game, especially in our difficult period, because I want to help the guys as much as possible on the field.

“I tried to force the physios to heal me as fast as possible, but they are not magicians.

“We have plenty of games in front of us. We have enough time to reach our target to be in the first six places.’’

Football Federation Australia pushed the kick-off back to 7pm Adelaide time, with a maximum temperature of 40C forecast today. The earlier women’s match between the same teams is set to be played in brutal conditions, with a kick-off at 4pm Adelaide time.

The W-League clash will feature former Glory women’s mentor Jamie Harnwell coaching against Perth for the first time following his controversial axing earlier this year.

Sandor, who is enjoying life in WA after moving into ­Subiaco with his wife Anett, predicted he would cope well with the heat given his playing experience in Saudi Arabia.

Originally published as Perth Glory midfielder Gyorgy Sandor says he’s ready to make a difference following ankle injury