After over a fortnight between games, Sydney FC defender Charlotte McLean hopes a good old-fashioned flogging will get her side back on track when they make their return to the A-League Women.
Due to a lack of available pitches in Sydney, the Sky Blues haven't played since they met league leaders Western United and copped a 2-0 loss two weeks ago.
The Sky Blues, who sit in third and are six points off top spot, will aim to bounce back when they face Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park on Thursday.
And with a bit of clearance in their match schedule, head coach Ante Juric opted to give his side a thorough workout to steel them for the business end of the season.
"Coming off a loss, it's not ideal to have two weeks off but we've taken it in our stride," McLean said.
"We got smashed time last but we're feeling fit and ready and really pumped for a Big Blue.
"We did a lot of running in a lot of hot sessions.
"It's never nice to lose, I'm a defender, I hate losing and I'm not used to it."
Victory have also been hard at work with Thursday's match their four game in 12 days.
Jeff Hopkins' side are undefeated in their last eight and will sense some weakness in a Sydney defence that is still without prospective Matildas goalkeeper Jada Whyman due to a finger injury.
"This is the first year where we have had a big change (in personnel)," McLean said.
"Somehow our team has gotten even younger, I'm pretty young as well, but I've really had to step up and be a bit louder and more vocal without Jada.
"Without her, it's been really hard for me not having that third voice to marshal the backline and that definitely showed in the Western game."
