Green and Gold or Sky Blue?

It's the burden of having talented players, they tend to get called up to national teams.  At the moment, Sydney FC have five players away on international duty, Terry Antonis, Kofi Danning, Rhyan Grant, Dimi Petratos are with the Young Socceroos and Antony Golec is currently with the Olyroos in Vietnam. That figure used to be seven, but the FFA have allowed both Sebastian Ryall and Matt Jurman to return to the club from Olyroos duty earlier this week.

Out of the seven names named, six are first team members and have all played for the senior team either this season or last. That just goes to show these players aren't just young promising players, but players who are being utilised by Lavicka in his first team plans.

Despite quite a few of our players away on international duty, not once have I heard any of the coaching staff complain about the situation. Lavicka probably foresaw that some of his younger players will get called up to the junior national teams during the season and has planned accordingly.

One thing he didn't plan was the amount of senior first team members would be injured at the same time. Sure, Brosque and McFlynn will make their return to the fold against Gold Coast United, but the duo are short of match fitness and it is yet to be seen whether either will start or last the full 90.

It would certainly be nice to have some of the younger players back to at least fill the bench, most notably Grant, Danning and Antonis, all of which have featured this season already. News this week is that Matthew Leckie has been allowed leave to take part in Adelaide's game against Perth, so why couldn't our players be allowed the same luxury?

I'm not calling for Grant, Danning or Antonis to be played on the weekend, I'm only saying Lavicka should have the choice to use them, whether he does or doesn't is another matter.

I'm not against our players playing for national teams during the A-League season, I'm just arguing, where it's possible for players to briefly return to club duties, that the players be allowed.

With all that being said, I'm very interested to see how the Young Socceroos go, especially since former Sydney NYL players in Bulut, Gallagher and Lustica are involved. I wouldn't deny our young players the chance to represent our country, even though other fans would say our players are better served staying in the club.

We just have to remember that it's part and parcel of having talented young players.

It'll be very interesting to see the reaction of some fans if any players get selected to be part of the Asian Cup squad in January.