Sydney FC star Rhyan Grant left ‘lethargic’ and without smell or taste during his Covid-19 battle

Covid-19 and Sydney FC’s poor form left Socceroo Rhyan Grant feeling lethargic, flat and frustrated.

Sydney FC star Rhyan Grant has been in isolation after testing positive to Covid-19. Picture: Mark Kolbe / Getty Images

Covid-19 flattened Socceroos defender Rhyan Grant and robbed him of his senses of smell and taste.

Grant is set to emerge from home isolation on Thursday and hopes to start training with his Sydney FC teammates as soon as he’s given the all clear by the club’s medical staff.

He rated himself little chance of returning for the struggling Sky Blues’ A-League clash with Wellington Phoenix on Sunday at Jubilee Stadium.

But Grant was more hopeful of making his comeback in Sydney’s FFA Cup quarter-final battle against Brisbane Roar next Wednesday at the same venue.

“I’d say I’d put my hand up for that one, but it comes down to the doctor and the medical team,” Grant said.

“Covid is quite common at the moment but in terms of footballers in Australia dealing with it, we haven’t had a lot of, so it’s up to the doctor and how it plays out.

“We’ve got a lot of protocols in place, and precautions to try to avoid getting it, but it’s something that’s in society at the moment.”

Sydney FC’s Rhyan Grant has been in isolation due to Covid-19. Picture: Brendon Thorne / Getty Images

The 30-year-old right-back sensed something wasn’t quite right with him on the day of Sydney’s 2-2 home draw with Newcastle on December 4.

“That day I definitely noticed I was feeling a bit run down,” he said.

“My girlfriend picked up on it and said ‘you’d better get up and ready to go, you’ve got a game tonight’ when I was lounging around because I didn’t feel great.

“I thought I was feeling a bit flat and a bit tired, but then obviously there was a little bit more to it. It was nothing dramatic, but there were a few signs there.”

In the days following the match, Grant had a Covid-19 test which returned a positive result despite him being fully vaccinated.

“I was pretty lethargic, and wasn’t very energetic like I usually am,” he said.

“I lost my taste and my smell for a bit over a week, and had a mild headache.

“There were a few things on top of each other, and you know that you’ve got something, and you’re happy to lay around and do nothing because you’re pretty tired.”

Making matters worse for Grant has been Sydney FC’s form.

The A-League heavyweights are second last on the ladder with just two points from four matches.

Grant found it tough watching Sydney’s 2-0 loss to Central Coast Mariners last Sunday in Gosford.

“It’s always hard watching your team and not being a part of it. It was really frustrating,” he said.

“It wasn’t great but at the same time it gave me a different perspective on the game. Hopefully that can help not only me but the team once I’m back in and training and ready to play again.

“We’ve got too good a team and too good a coaching staff not to turn this around.”