Sotirio to fight for Wanderers spot

Western Sydney Wanderers winger Jaushua Sotirio won't let a nasty training ground accident get in the way of his continued push to be in the match-day squad for the start of the A-League season.

The 19 year-old hopes a string of good performances in the FFA cup will cement his place in the Wanderers squad. Source: SNPA

Sotirio was forced to finish training early on Friday to get treatment on his leg after a collision with a teammate resulted in a gash to his shin.

But he was back at training for Sunday's session and flew out on Monday as part of the squad for the FFA Cup quarter-final against Perth Glory at Dorrien Gardens on Tuesday  night.

"I copped a knock at training and hurt myself a bit," Sotirio said. "I got studded on the shin and it opened up. I got a cut and had to get it cleaned up. They put strips on it to hold it together.

"It was just an accident. I went for the ball and got studded, but I'll be right to play against Perth."

Sotirio, who turns 20 on 11 October - three days after the Wanderers kick off the A-League with a home game against Brisbane Roar - is anxious to increase his game-time after making a good impression last season.

He was in the starting side for the Wanderers in both its round of 32 and round of 16 FFA Cup games.

Sotirio is only contracted until the end of the season, so what he does on the field in the next six or seven months will be key in what kind of deal he can attract next time around.

Form in the clash with Glory will presumably have a major bearing on Western Sydney Wanderers coach Tony Popovic's team selection for round one of the A-League.

"I wouldn't want to miss the FFA Cup opportunity," Sotirio said. "It's a good opportunity to play in a competition like that and especially so close to the start of the A-League season.

"All I can do is keep working hard at training and then it's up to the boss to decide what to do. I've had a lot of game-time during the pre-season, which is good. I've been playing left wing and right wing. I don't mind which side I play on - I'm comfortable with either."

The huge turnover of players at the Wanderers after last season means Sotirio has been at the club longer than most players in the squad - despite his youth.

Popovic obviously rates his potential, but the fact he is only on a one-year deal puts him under a lot of pressure to perform strongly this season and convince the club to offer him a longer contract.

However, Sotirio is ready for the challenge.

"The club only offered me a one-year contract, so I've got to do as much as I can this season. My future is going to depend heavily on what I do this year. I'm an attacker, so I want to be creating chances and scoring goals.

"I started here with the youth team and gradually made my way up and I've been working hard and that's what 'Popa' likes - hard-working players. Hopefully I can get more time on the pitch once the A-League starts and score a few goals."