There's some respite ahead for the Wellington Phoenix, when the A-League season finally resumes this week, after its COVID-19 enforced suspension.
With just over 48 hours to go before the restart, the draw has been changed to accommodate the three Victorian sides, which have just started a fortnight's quarantine in New South Wales.
As a result, the Phoenix's final regular season game has been pushed back, meaning they'll play their last six round-robin matches in 28 days, rather than 24.
But coach Ufuk Talay is unfazed by the adjustment and the task at hand remains essentially unchanged.
"We still have to play our six games, whether that was done in two-and-a half weeks or three weeks is, for me, it's irrelevant.
"I think we've got the depth in the squad and we're going to have to rely on everybody to get through these six games."
The Phoenix face top-of-the-table Sydney FC in the first game back on Friday night and Talay says his troops are raring to go after a long four-week camp, which doubled as quarantine.
"We go to training, we come back and we’re at the hotel for the rest of the day. The boys are in their own spaces or in their rooms, we come together for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and we come together on the park.
"It's not easy, but at the same time, we know what we need to sacrifice to get over the line at the end of the season."
Despite the inevitable monotony, Talay believes his side's in "good spirits" leading into their first game since March 15.
But the team faces further turmoil, with the increased COVID-19 spike in NSW threatening to force a move interstate, although Talay is taking it all in stride.
"At this stage, we’re planning to play the games in New South Wales, but if things need to change, as coaches, we’re very adaptable and our players have adapted as well," he notes.
"If we need to change, we'll change, but at the moment, our focus is on playing the games here."
Join us for live updates of Phoenix v Sydney FC from 9:30pm Friday
