Wilkinson relishing Mariners reunion

The team that will look to keep Australia’s Asian Cup hopes alive will be built on a foundation of four ex-Central Coast Mariners players.

The suspension of Matthew Spiranovic has set up something of a reunion for his replacement Alex Wilkinson and three other pillars of the Australian side – Mat Ryan, Trent Sainsbury and Mile Jedinak.

Wilkinson spent three years at the Mariners with Sainsbury, and the pair will aim to pick up where they left off when they start in the centre of defence in Thursday night’s Asian Cup quarter-final against China.

Wilkinson said he has been pleased to watch the rise of 23-year-old Sainsbury, who last year transferred to Dutch Eredivisie side PEC Zwolle and has played a vital role in Australia’s Asian Cup campaign so far.

“He has always been a player you could see was going to go very far in the game,” he said.

“I saw that at the Mariners – when he got his chance he stepped up.

“If he keeps improving he will mainstay in the Socceroos for a long time to come.”

Wilkinson was Central Coast’s captain when Sainsbury and Ryan were coming through, and the trio played together seven times in the 2010-11 A-League season.

Positioned in front of them on Thursday will be Jedinak, another former Mariners skipper who is set to return from an ankle injury.

Wilkinson admits he is frustrated that after a career-best season with K-League side Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors – and after starting in all three of Australia’s World Cup games last year – it’s taken the suspension of Spiranovic to open the door for his national team return.

“You never want to sit on the bench. It’s disappointing but that’s football,” he said.

“But Ange makes it very clear that after every camp, you come into next one with a clean slate.

“You have to earn your spot again.”