I haven't checked ladder since joining Sydney FC: Talay

The Sky Blues have become one of the ALM's form teams on a seven-game unbeaten run that hit new heights with their 4-1 derby defeat of Western Sydney last weekend.

Sydney, who sacked Steve Corica after starting the campaign with three consecutive defeats, have only lost once in their last 11 matches and sit fifth on the ladder as the season heats up.

Beating the Roar at Allianz Stadium on Sunday will hoist the Sky Blues even higher - just don't ask Talay about his side's trajectory up the table.

"We haven't looked at the ladder since I've been here," he said.

"We've just focused on the games that we've played, game by game.

"It's very important that we do well and we pick up points and hopefully we end up in a good spot by the end of the season.

"For us, it's very important the way we play, the way we want to perform."

Veteran defender Rhyan Grant, who signed a new deal on Thursday, believed the young Sky Blues squad would remain level-headed as their stocks continued to rise.

"That's the biggest thing," he said.

"We need to make sure that the boys concentrate on this weekend, put that (last week's big win) behind us and really continue to build forward.

"That won't be too hard, the boys are in a pretty good place at the moment in terms of how they feel and the confidence and positivity around the group."

Sydney welcome captain Luke Brattan back from suspension for the clash with the Roar but will need to wait another week to have Jack Rodwell on deck.

The luckless English defender had been due to return from a calf injury for his first game since early January before a bout of COVID-19 struck him down.

Rodwell resumed training on Friday and is expected to be available for next Saturday's blockbuster against the Wellington Phoenix - Talay's old club.

"We'll build him up and get him ready for next week," Talay said.

Australian Associated Press