Glory striker Nikita Rukavytsya is ready to resume his role up front for Perth after overcoming a calf complaint that kept him out of the club’s win against Melbourne last weekend.
Glory striker Nikita Rukavytsya is ready to resume his role up front for Perth after overcoming a calf complaint that kept him out of the club-s win against Melbourne last weekend.
It was the first time in his Perth Glory career that Rukavytsya was forced watched from the stands and the goal scoring machine is itching to get back on the pitch.
“I was really happy that the boys won, it was a very important three points for us and gets us back on track for the finals,” Rukavytsya said.
“I-m buzzing to get back onto the field and help the team get the points this week.
“I was disappointed that the injury kept me out but every day it is feeling better and I-m happy to be back training and it feels really good now,” said Rukavytsya.
Rukavytsya trained solidly with the main squad on Tuesday to book his ticket to Wellington and is expected to be slotted straight back into the starting line-up as he looks to add to his goal haul this season.
Prior to missing the match against Melbourne, Rukavytsya was in sparkling touch, plundering six goals in five matches, including two against Wellington at Members Equity Stadium in round 10.
“I-ve been happy with my form but I think that also comes from the team playing better. We-ve all worked hard and it is a real team effort and I-ll just continue to do my job for the team and hopefully the rest will take care of itself,” Rukavytsya said.
Glory-s clash against Wellington will feature two of the Hyundai A-League-s most potent marksmen. Phoenix striker Shane Smeltz currently leads the competition with nine goals while Rukavytsya is just one back on eight, the enticing match-up sure to produce plenty of goal mouth action.
“It-s a very important game, we need to start getting points away from home and if we win we-ll be right on the doorstep of the top four,” said Rukavytsya.
