Coombes, who injured his cruciate ligaments in the ASB Premiership win over Waitakere United two weeks ago, was put through his paces by physiotherapist Andrew Newmarch.
“The injury looks better than it did ten days ago,” Coombes said. “I worked hard at training doing shuttle work and have built up the muscle strength around the injury.”
When asked if he would be fit for the warm-up match against Ryutsu Keizai University on Friday Coombes said it was too early to tell.
“I’m hoping to get twenty minutes but the injury is still touch and go,” he said.
Another player on the comeback trail is Manel Exposito.
The Spanish striker picked up an injury in the O-League match against Hekari United two weeks ago but Newmarch said his rehabilitation was on track.
“Manel picked up a hip knock against Hekari but is doing well,” Newmarch said. “He could have played the Manawatu match but we rested him with the Club World Cup game on December 8 the target.”
The former Barcelona B player, who celebrated his 30th birthday upon arrival in Tokyo, is more than aware the competition for places is fierce.
“Nobody is indispensable, we are playing very well so you cannot take your place for granted,” he said.
With his three goals in the ASB Premiership bettered by four in the O-League, Exposito has seven strikes to his name from five starts – an excellent tally.
But Tribulietx has strong alternatives in Adam Dickinson, Luis Corrales and Emiliano Tade, who are all in good form themselves.
Auckland City will now change gears ahead of Friday’s friendly match against Ryutsu Keizai with two training sessions scheduled for today, the first at Kozuke Field and the second at Mitsuzawa Field in Tokyo.
A kick-off time of 7pm (local time)/11pm (NZT) has been confirmed for the Ryutsu Keizai match.
City are set to play their first, and potentially last, match at Japan 2011 on December 8 against the yet-to-be-determnined J.League champions.

Share