Brett Emerton is hopeful Jason Culina will play for Sydney FC this A-League season as the injury-plagued Socceroos midfielder continues to impress in his quest for a contract.
Culina, who is on the comeback trail from a career-threatening knee injury, was put through his paces in a one-on-one session on Tuesday which included ball work and some intense stretching.
The 32-year-old Socceroos veteran has been training with the club for more than four months.
Veteran midfielder Emerton has been impressed with what he’s seen on the training paddock from his former Socceroos teammate Culina, who hasn’t played competitively since breaking down with a knee injury at the Asian Cup in January last year.
He started training again with Newcastle in last year’s A-League pre-season before breaking down again and was controversially released by the Jets.
“Jason has made tremendous progress over the last couple of months and he’s starting to join in our training sessions,” Emerton said on Tuesday.
“He’s looking good and we’re all hopeful that he gets back fit and can join us at some stage because when he is fully fit he’s obviously a fantastic player and will be a great addition to our squad.”
Emerton is expecting a physical confrontation against Newcastle when Sydney play the Jets, who boast former England striker Emile Heskey, at Allianz Stadium on Saturday.
Both sides are coming off disappointing season-opening matches with Sydney falling 2-0 to Wellington while the Jets were beaten by the same scoreline at home to Adelaide.
“They’re going to be desperate to get some points on the board as well,” Emerton said.
“There’s no bad teams in the A-League this year, everyone’s tough and unless you’re up to the task 100 per cent you’re not going to win football matches.”
Emerton admitted Sydney let themselves down against Wellington with a poor attacking display and attitude.
“We gave the ball away far too easy and we found ourselves chasing it much too often,” he said.
“I think as far as the team is concerned they were physically up to the task better than we were on Saturday.
“We’re going to make sure that changes against Newcastle.”
Titus
Guest
Apparently Culina is participating in full intensity training matches and looking very, very good.......it's also rumoured that he can't break into a full sprint as yet.........so, it's probably a little way off but if he gets there it will be a big boost.
fadida
Guest
He is. He's been out so long you forget just how important he was to us. Bit concerned that he's not yet at full speed training wise as it suggests he's a good few months way yet
Griffo
Roar Guru
My recollection was that after Jason broke down at Jets training after recovering from the initial knee surgery he required corrective surgery to re-align the leg (ie: leg broken). It is from this corrective surgery that he is on the long road to recovery at Sydney FC. Hopefully no more trouble from that knee :-)
nachos supreme
Guest
I'm wondering, is it a series of knock on injuries related to the original knee injury that are the issue or is it 100% the knee itself? I know it's a bit simplistic but I'd be interested to know what the actual problem/s is/are. I hate to see a guy like him have injury curtail him the way it has and I guess I'm looking for some signs of optimism? He's been gone forever.
Griffo
Roar Guru
A shame it didn't work out for Culina and the Jets but am glad he looks like he is going to be playing again. Too good a player to go out with an injury.
Punter
Guest
In which way?
Villa_B
Roar Guru
It's a pity with Culina. His sorely missed by the Socceroos and the A-League. Such a top player.
whiskeymac
Guest
season 1 salary cap revisited?
KHAN
Guest
Why not have Emmo and Culina in midfield?
Matt F
Roar Guru
Yep. You have to think that he wouldn't be in the first XI if it he wasn't captain. A captain doesn't have to be the best player but they should generally be good enough to make the starting side! A fit Culina, Paul Reid and Antonis would provide a very strong central midfield with some good depth
Man U Fan
Guest
Culina would defiantly add some much needed class to the midfield. Need to get mcflynn out of there ASAP!
Man U Fan
Guest
Culina would defiantly add some much needed class to the midfield. Need to get mcflynn out of there ASAP!
Q
Guest
Would be awesome if he were to play for them, they would undoubtedly have the best team on paper.