Perth goalkeeper Tando Velaphi will press his claim for a recall between the posts after shaking off the effects of a concussion sustained in Glory’s match against Gold Coast a week ago.
Perth goalkeeper Tando Velaphi will press his claim for a recall between the posts after shaking off the effects of a concussion sustained in Glory-s match against Gold Coast a week ago.
The Olyroos ‘keeper is fit and ready to return for Friday night-s clash against the Newcastle Jets after missing Perth-s 4-2 win over Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium yesterday.
“I-ve felt pretty good the last few days, obviously I was a bit weary, but generally feeling good and ready to go this week at training,” Velaphi said.
Club medical staff advised against playing Velaphi in Brisbane as a precaution and with deputy Aleks Vrteski ready to roar there was no need to rush the young star back onto the pitch.
“There were a few concerns but it-s mainly the risk factor. Basically after a concussion the likelihood of it happening again from a little knock on the head is quite high and that was the main thing they (the doctors) were looking at.
“I-ve had a good rest and I-m feeling refreshed and ready to go.”
The 22 year-old returned to training over the weekend and will depart for Brisbane tomorrow to rejoin the squad which remained on the east coast with a second interstate clash just days away. Velaphi said he is eager to prove his fitness and force his way back into a Glory side looking to secure back-to-back away wins for the first time since the inaugural season of the Hyundai A-League.
“The last three days I-ve been training pretty hard. I can-t really remember getting hit so there isn-t much to be scared of. I-m feeling good, working hard and I-ll work hard for the rest of the week and see what happens,” Velaphi said.
Perth-s win against the Roar was a change of fortune after failing to capitalise on earlier away expeditions. Glory-s first victory on the road this season and a strong performance by Vrteski could keep Velaphi waiting another week but as long as the team is winning he isn-t too concerned about who is pulling on the gloves.
“Obviously it-s tough watching it on TV, but securing the three points, especially away from home where our record hasn-t been that great was really important,” Velaphi said.
“We haven-t had a lot of luck come our way but maybe the tables have turned and a few things went our way. It was just great to get the win.
“Aleks played very well. We got the win which is the main thing and I spoke to him after the game and he was rapt with the result.
“I-m just very happy for the boys and now we-re sitting in a good position on the table so hopefully we can get a good result away in Newcastle as well,” said Velaphi.
