Ben Warland says he will be looking to impress Head Coach, Marco Kurz, after recovering from a thigh injury sustained last month.
The 20-year-old played 60 minutes on his return for Adelaide United Youth against Cumberland United in the PlayStation 4 National Premier League on Saturday.
Warland lamented the timing of the setback as it occurred while on international duty with the Olyroos.
The defender had been selected in the squad bound for the 2018 AFC U-23 Championship Qualifiers in Myanmar, before succumbing to the injury.
“It was bad timing the injury,” Warland said.
“I was about to go away with the (Australia) U-23s who were in camp and then in Myanmar for the Asian Cup qualifiers.
“The morning we were going to leave we had training and I did my quad.
“But I’ve been back in full training now for a solid week and obviously got some game time on the weekend with the youth team.”
Warland admitted it was also particularly annoying not being able to take part in any of the pre-season matches and against Newcastle Jets in the Westfield FFA Cup Round of 32 win.
“Obviously it’s frustrating being injured, especially with the new coach coming in,” he said.
“You obviously want to impress and show him what you can do in the games that we have had.
“But watching the games when I was injured and seeing how we’re playing and the style of play and what to do means you’re obviously still learning while you’re injured.
“But it was just frustrating not being out there and putting it into practice.”
Warland outlined the team’s objective ahead of the upcoming Hyundai A-league 2017/18 season.
“We want to make finals,” Warland said.
“So I think the aim is to make finals and I think the sky is the limit this year.
“We still have a few more players to recruit, but the ones that have come in have been top class.
“And I think we will go to the next level.”
The defender, who signed a new two-year contract over the off-season, said he is hoping to play more games this campaign.
Warland has accumulated six appearances for Adelaide since making his professional debut in April 2015, but four of those outings did occur last season.
“Personally I just want to play as many games as I can,” he said.
“Obviously stay injury free and just impress in training and hopefully I get a chance like I did last year.
“And impress the coach and hopefully I can play a lot more games than I have in the previous years.”
Adelaide United host Melbourne Victory in the Round of 16 of the 2017 Westfield FFA Cup on Wednesday, 23 August at Marden Sports Complex. Kick-off is at 7.00pm ACST. Tickets go on sale for 2017/18 Members at 12pm on Tuesday, 14 August.
