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AFTER a season of playing the unaccustomed role of understudy, Shane Smeltz is itching to be unleashed on his former club and keep Sydney FC's title aspirations alive.
Forced to play second fiddle by the goals of Marc Janko, Smeltz — the A-League's second-highest goalscorer — is certain to start against Wellington next weekend due to Janko's absence on international duty.
Marc Janko screams in frustration after missing another chance against Melbourne City. Source: News Corp Australia
After Friday's defeat at home to Melbourne City, the Sky Blues cannot afford a negative result in Wellington — at the club where Smeltz scored 21 goals in 39 appearances. The 33-year-old admitted his series of cameo appearances off the bench for Sydney after signing in the off-season, coupled with an injury-disrupted pre-season, had made him a frustrated spectator, despite his off-field friendship with Janko.
"I always want to play, I've been wanting to play every week," Smeltz said. "It's never easy for someone like myself, knowing you're only going to get 15 or 20 minutes of game time each week.
"So I'm looking forward to playing again, it'll be something different to start the game and hopefully play the full 90, and play my part.
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"It's a big game too, a six pointer, and if we can go over there and take six points off them that'll be crucial at this stage of the season.
"It's never a good time to lose but maybe it's better we did this week against City — if we go down next weekend to Wellington we're battling against it."
Sydney will be without Terry Antonis as well as Smeltz, and coach Graham Arnold gave his players the weekend off after losing to City as he bids to conserve their energy for the season's climax.
Smeltz dubbed it the most congested title race he had seen, with the top five all holding realistic hopes of landing the Premier's Plate once the regular season is complete.
Of that pack, Sydney face Perth and Adelaide as well as Phoenix twice in their last five games, which Smeltz said at least gave his side the chance to keep their rivals at close hand.
Smeltz playing for the Phoenix back in 2007. Source: Supplied
"I can't remember a back end of the season as tight as this," Smeltz said. "There's been close situations before but this is extra tight, the top six especially.
"That's why we have to look ahead — we've been good on the road this season and though they are tough fixtures we need to back ourselves to win them. Winning those games will keep us in it because of who they're against.
"As Arnie said there's plenty of opportunity for the table to change before the end of the season. City really was one of those games where you have to go away and think about what went wrong but it's pretty disappointing, especially at home after the good run we've had.
"We came with every intention to secure another win, especially with the big incentive of going top of the league, but it wasn't to be."
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