To see North Queensland Fury train in Sydney...

 

And to see their expressive coach Franz Straka in action...

Fury are in the middle of a taxing three games in a week schedule. Coach Franz Straka had the side out training yesterday (Tuesday) but gave them Monday off after the trip to Wellington for last Friday’s clash with Phoenix.

After the exhausting loss at the Cake Tin, Fury boarded a flight to Sydney for Wednesday’s clash at the SFS.

“It’s been a bit of a tough week what with flying from Townsville to New Zealand and then getting here,” Fury defender Hughes told au.fourfourtwo.com. "And they’ve got a time difference as well. 

“My sleeping patterns have been a bit shitty. It’s just one of those things… you’ve just got to get on with it.

“I’ve felt a little bit tired these last couple of days, but I’m getting back to normal."

The loss to Phoenix was particularly difficult with the windy conditions making for an extra tiring night’s work.

“The weather was horrendous,” said the former Walsall captain. “I’ve played in England and those were the worst conditions I’ve ever played in.

"And the game was like the lower league games you see in England whereas normally in the A-League, they look to play the ball on the deck.”

Tonight at the SFS should be more to Hughes’ liking in terms of conditions, and the 23-year-old is excited by the return of two of Fury’s Olyroos strike duo.

Chris Payne and Isaka Cernak are set to give the North Queenslanders a massive boost for this must-win game for both sides. 

The pair’s loss was keenly felt last week and with the sky blues defence still far from last year’s watertight version, Hughes senses they could be the key to undoing the bottom of the table side.

Hughes addedL “Payney and Isaka have been away and they’ve got that little bit of spark about them and creativity and hopefully we’ll have Dyron Daal and Andre [Killian] available for selection. ”

To see North Queensland Fury train in Sydney...

 

And to see their expressive coach Franz Straka in action...