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The 33-year-old goes into the match excited about the latest chapter in his career and ready to “put on a show” for the people of Sydney.


“This is what we train everyday for - the games, although this is not the real thing (a trial) it is close,” he said. “We have trained and prepared well and I am sure we will put it together on the pitch.”

While Yorke is ready to make his debut, Sydney FC will be without experienced duo Mark Rudan and Matthew Bingley.

Rudan has recovered from his hamstring injury but will wait longer before returning to the pitch while Bingley has a knee strain and will be out of action for the first Pre Season Cup match.

Yorke, who also played for Aston Villa, Blackburn Rovers and Birmingham City in the English Premier League, joins a Sydney FC team already riding high from its qualification for the FIFA World Club Championships in Japan this December.

Led by strikers David Zdrilic and Sasho Petrovski, Sydney FC won the Australian qualifiers before beating the best club teams in Oceania, and has played 16 matches without tasting defeat, winning 15.

Yorke arrived in Australia at the start of the month and will make his highly-anticipated debut knowing he is stepping into a competitive environment but hoping to make a mark from the start.

“The boys have done very well already, qualifying for Japan (World Championships) and I know that we have a very good squad and I will be hoping to settle into that quickly,” Yorke said.

“It’s important to remember that this is not just about me. There are another 19 members of the squad that are here too and I’d like to take this opportunity to say that there are other members of Sydney FC and with them I am excited about the game. I just want to put on a good show and I’m sure that we will

“I am aware of everything that goes on and I must compliment the media for the coverage they have given and I’m sure if we play like we can we will be able to bring people here to see us.”

When asked about his fitness levels and the predicted game time in the trial match, Yorke said: “That’s not up to me it is up to the manager but I think I could play a good half, maybe 60,65,70 minutes. I have no control over what the manager does but this is my first game and I’m looking forward to it.”

Littbarski, however, was more certain, stating: “The expectations for him are very high but he is fit, physically there is no problem, in the training he looks sharp and he should be able to do some good things on the pitch in this week’s game.”

The Pre-Season Cup match between Sydney FC and the New Zealand Knights will be played at Sydney FC’s home ground at Aussie Stadium on Saturday July 23. Kick off is at 8.00pm.