THE fact she is playing her old team in the W-League season opener hasn't really entered Jada Whyman's mind.
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The Wagga goalkeeper will simply be happy to be back on the field again after knee surgery forced her to miss the entire campaign with Western Sydney Wanderers last year.
On Thursday night she will pull on the sky blue of Sydney FC for the first time in the cross-town derby at Bankwest Stadium.
The 21-year-old says she is more confident than ever in her body after dealing with a slight patella tendon tear in her left knee for more than two years.
"I've done full sessions for six weeks now and haven't missed out on any. It's been really good to play football again and not have to worry about injuries.
"To be honest it's just another game (against the Wanderers) I guess. I'm excited to get out on the field with the Sydney girls and we've had such a great pre-season."
Whyman has been battling with fellow Sydney FC newcomer Katie Offer for the right to wear the gloves in round one, and has her fingers crossed she will get the nod.
"I feel any time you play you earn it through the week at training, when you make sure you're on top of your sessions and don't let it slip," she said.
"Katie was fantastic through the NPL and she's good to have around with some banter. We push each other but we're supportive of each other too, it's a good relationship.
"It's been fantastic working under Ante (Juric, Sydney FC coach) again, seeing him in a W-League environment has been good.
"It's different to Young Matildas but he's been challenging me and that's what I was hoping for. Hopefully he can get me to where I want to be development wise."
Sydney FC is determined to regain the silverware they relinquished to Melbourne City in last year's title defence after going down 1-0 in the grand final.
"It started us with us just hoping there'd be a season, and now there is we all know 2020 can be unpredictable," she said.
"Everyone's trying to rebuild from COVID and getting clubs to as good a spot as we can financially, but the fact we can readjust and move forward has been really good.
"The club in general is very ambitious and nothing changes this year. It's been good to come into that environment where the standards are always to be the best you can possibly be.
"I have no doubt if we go out each game with those standards the results will come and hopefully we can get the championship."
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