After months of waiting, the Wolves have finally got the green light to kick off their FFA Cup campaign.
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Luke Wilkshire's side will meet Mount Druitt on November 6 at Popondetta Park. The two NSW NPL teams were drawn in July to face off in a round of 32 fixture, but the contest was delayed due to the ongoing COVID situation in NSW.
FFA Cup matches have been held across the country in the meantime, with several teams progressing to the round of 16.
However, the Wolves' waiting game is now over.
"It's been a long time coming. It's a short turnaround to prepare, but both teams will be in the same boat and it gives us something to look forward to," coach Wilkshire said.
"We've had two (training) sessions and one optional session this week and the boys have looked really good. We don't want to blow them straight out of the water, so it's more about feeling where they're at physically and seeing how far we can push them because we obviously want to avoid injuries."
The Cup announcement follows a busy month off the field for the Wolves. The club recently announced the acquisition of Japanese duo Banri Kanaizumi and Takumu Tsujimura, which came on the back of signing the likes of Peter Simonoski and Josh Macdonald.
"There's a lot of excitement around the group with the new boys linking up. We've got to hit the ground running, but everyone knows what's ahead of us and what an opportunity we have," Wilkshire said. "We will be allowed four players that are previously Cup-tied, and any from another club who aren't Cup-tied can play. I think six players from our squad are Cup-tied, so I can only use four in a match-day squad.
"Between now and the Mount Druitt game, those who are fit and are prepared to play physically will be an important factor."
Everyone knows what's ahead of us and what an opportunity we have.
- - Luke Wilkshire
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