Socceroo Andrew Redmayne is facing a battle to regain his starting role at Sydney FC with understudy Thomas Heward-Belle's form creating a headache for Steve Corica.
Heward-Belle has seized the opportunity granted with Redmayne's absence due to national team duties, starting the past three A-League Men matches for the Sky Blues as they picked up two wins and a draw to climb to third on the ladder.
The 24-year-old was selected ahead of Redmayne for last Friday's clash with Adelaide United despite the senior shotstopper having returned from Socceroos duties and saved a penalty in the 2-1 triumph at Coopers Stadium.
Sydney coach Corica admits it won't simply be a case of Redmayne returning between the posts for Saturday's game with league leaders Western United at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium.
"It's a tough one," Corica told AAP.
"Redders obviously went away with the national team and he got back the day before in Adelaide.
"It's something I need to make a decision on but obviously it's good competition for Redders as well because Tommy has stepped it up.
"He's doing a great job and that can only create good competition for places which is what we want."
Corica is also sweating on the fitness of former Socceroos midfielder Mustafa Amini, who limped off injured early in the second half of the Adelaide win.
The 28-year-old is still a chance to play against Western but could make way for Max Burgess in the Sky Blues' starting lineup.
"We might have a couple of changes for the weekend's game," Corica said.
"We're just giving him (Amini) as much time as we can to see whether he's going to be fit or not for the game and then we'll make them decisions when we know that."
