Arriving just one day before their season-opening match, star goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne's overseas Socceroos adventures may put Sydney FC on the back foot to begin their A-League Men campaign.
With the clash against arch-rivals Melbourne Victory slated for Saturday, Redmayne will arrive in Sydney on Friday night after being in Graham Arnold's squad for recent friendlies with England and New Zealand in London.
The Sky Blues' defence have already suffered setbacks with injuries to left-back Joel King (calf) and English defender Jack Rodwell (hamstring).
Coach Steve Corica admits the timing of Redmayne's arrival is less than ideal, given the 34-year-old sat on the bench and did not play in both games.
"As the club coach, you want your players here all the time and training. Not ideal he's getting back one day before a game," said Corica of Redmayne, the penalty shootout hero against Peru in last year's World Cup qualifier, on Thursday.
"But I've also played for the national team and I know how much it means to players to play for the national team and be involved in the national team.
"You never want to take that away from the player.
"He's got good experience. Hopefully, he sleeps well in the next couple of days and gets himself focused for the Melbourne game."
The Sky Blues grabbed their first silverware in three years with a 3-1 win over Brisbane Roar in October.
With the Victory finishing second-last on the ALM table last year, star winger and Mark Viduka Medallist Joe Lolley says his team are expecting a fierce Big Blue contest from a side looking for redemption.
"I know they struggled last year. I would expect them to have a better season and then especially ourselves to have a better season," Lolley said on Thursday.
"That always blows up the rivalry when you're competing at the top end of the table.
"Especially in that first game, you could feel that sense of rivalry and a little bit of aggression.
"Fingers crossed, we'll be on the right hand of the result."
