New signing Marc Janko will make his long-awaited A-League debut for Sydney FC as Graham Arnold finally gets to unleash his full-strength side for Saturday’s derby against Western Sydney Wanderers.
The Austrian international captain returned to Sydney earlier than expected after he was sent off having earlier scored his country’s winning goal against Moldova in a European Championship qualifier in Chisinau last weekend.
The powerful 31-year-old striker, who replaces Alessandro Del Piero as the Sky Blues’ marquee player, was only expected to arrive late on Thursday night.
But having flown back to Sydney on Monday the former Porto hitman will go into the derby rested and with the benefit of training all week with his new teammates.
Janko was full of remorse after receiving his red card for lashing out against opposition goalkeeper Ilie Cebanu, an action that kept him out of last Monday’s clash with Montenegro and will also sideline him for November’s meeting with Russia.
“I highly regret what I did in the game, it was not a good action at all,” Janko said.
“Although I was provoked by the goalkeeper, things like that cannot happen in a game.
“But the positive thing now is that I can be available for Sydney in this upcoming game.”
But Janko’s dismissal was good news for Arnold who’ll start him in attack alongside Corey Gameiro, if the young striker recovers from a slight calf problem.
Shane Smeltz is also back following a groin strain that kept him out of the season opener against Melbourne City, but may have to be content with a place on the bench after Gameiro’s strong showing against City.
“Corey is doing great … he scored a great goal last week, it’s easy to lose a player if he’s scoring and you don’t play him,” Arnold said.
“Shane is fine now, I didn’t want to put him out when he wasn’t 100 per cent fit.
“Bernie Ibini is back as is Ali Abbas from international duty and they should be fine as well.
“It’s a nice position to have, last week I didn’t have these choices in attack.”
Janko’s signing earlier this year was far more low-key than Del Piero’s but he is confident that he can be a big success at his new club.
“Most of all I am dangerous in the box,” he said.
“But I try to play with a cool head … most of the time I am in good control of myself.
“This is not just about the derby for me, it’s my first official game for the club.
“I am told it is a big game and there will be a big crowd. I would love to fulfil the expectations and hope I can help us get three points.”
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