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Sport
George Clarke

Sydney seek ALM lift as Yorke returns

Sydney FC beat Dwight Yorke's Macarthur 3-2 when the sides met in the A-League Men in October. (Jeremy Ng/AAP PHOTOS) (AAP)

As a player, Dwight Yorke helped bring the sparkle to the A-League and deliver silverware for Sydney FC in the competition's very first year.

But as Yorke prepares to return to Allianz Stadium for the first time as a manager, Sky Blues boss Steve Corica will be hoping his old teammate can leave the magic dust at home on Christmas Eve.

The two sides, who form part of a congested group of teams aiming to solidify their spot in the top six, met on matchday four in October with Yorke's Macarthur outfit suffering a 3-2 defeat in Campbelltown.

But a little less than two months on, Corica is facing a challenging period as he welcomes the Bulls to Moore Park.

Sydney have one win from four ALM games at their rebuilt home ground and their task will be made harder by the fact they are short of a few key bodies.

Creative spark Max Burgess is sidelined with concussion, midfield linchpin Luke Brattan is suspended and Corica's first-choice centre-back pairing of Jack Rodwell and captain Alex Wilkinson remain out with injury.

"Dwight spent a very good year when we won the grand final in the first year, he's got good, fond memories and I'm sure he's excited about it," Corica said.

"They're a good team and they've got a lot of good attacking options.

"A lot of teams (lift to play Sydney FC).

"It's something we expect especially coming to this stadium, it gives all players and not just our players (a boost) and we need to be ready for what they throw at us."

The good news for Sydney is that striker Adam Le Fondre is nearing a full return to fitness after being eased back from a hamstring issue.

The Englishman will be key if Corica's side are to fire up the table from their current ninth place, having shown some growing pains in adapting to an off-season tactical revamp.

Corica has sought to place a greater emphasis on attack, with wingers Joe Lolley and Robert Mak particularly impressive.

"We've scored lots of goals this season already but we've got to get our defence right," Corica said.

"We've got a few key players out there, but it starts at the front and we all need to work hard to keep clean sheets.

"We're pleased with the way we've played but the results just need to be a little bit more consistent."

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