Tsattalios itching to play again

Tsattalios was all smiles as he scored in round three?s 2-2 draw against Bankstown City FC at Jensen Park but wasn?t a happy camper after an injury to his knee dampened his celebrations at the end of the game.
?I was very happy having been able to score a goal with my head which is certainly a rare occurrence but it was short-lived as I strained my medial and was ruled out for a couple of weeks.
?The bad thing was that I started training after two weeks but then felt a strain again which sidelined me further, however my specialist stated to me on Monday that I will be back on the pitch in two weeks so I am focusing on getting back on track.?
Like any enthusiastic and ambitious youngster, being injured has certainly been a painful experience for Tsattalios both on and off the pitch as he stated to Football NSW how tough it?s been watching from the sidelines.
?It has been very had to watch my team especially prior to the Berries game I wanted to be out there helping my teammates and the club.
?Results were also disappointing as looking at our squad we have the potential to be top three material but things weren?t clicking.
?To have gotten the win over the Berries though really lifted our spirits and I hope that this spurs the team on which can see us slowly climb the NSW Premier League ladder.?
Asked what his thoughts were on why the Blues were doing so poorly which saw them lose four on the bounce Tstattalios replied.
?It?s hard to put an explanation on this, all of a sudden we slumped to four losses straight even though training was pretty intense, I guess luck wasn?t on our side.
?We knew we weren?t playing the best football and we weren?t taking our chances on the field and rival teams punished us but we have a new found belief that we can push ourselves up that ladder.?
Olympic face the South Coast Wolves at Belmore Sports Ground this Sunday with the young Blues star believing that if they can put in the same performance they did against the Berries, three points can certainly swing their way.
?It is of course a must win for us as we need to record as many victories as possible to continue climbing the NSW Premier League ladder.
?I believe the boys played well against the Berries and you could tell that their minds are on the job.
?I think if we can do the same we can get the three points which will be great for us and of course our fans who continually come to support us week in week out.?
The sky was the limit prior to Tsattalios? unfortunate injury as he played three consistent games and also had a solid pre-season with the Blues.
?I was really happy with how things were going for me as I was happy to be back playing on the pitch.
?I spent so much time on the sidelines when I was with Sydney FC and Newcastle Jets and got a little frustrated but being able to play again was a great feeling.
?I started feeling confident once more and I hope to replicate the form I was in prior to being injured when I return to the pitch in 2 weeks.?
The Attacking left/right midfielder who can also play at left back has set his sights on returning to the Blues and then playing good enough to possibly gain the attention of potential A-League suitors as well as the lure of going abroad.
?I would love to be involved in the A-League again, I got a taste when I was with Sydney FC and the Newcastle Jets but unfortunately I didn?t feel that I was given the right opportunity by the respective managers there but that?s in the past now.
?I want to concentrate on playing good football with Olympic and also getting fit and then if I can gain interest from teams domestically or internationally that would be a huge bonus for me.?
Tsattalios has already gained some overseas exposure after he toured Greece with a select side from Sydney.
Several offers for trials came Nick?s way with Greek First Division side Panionios one of the few that sort an interest in the young Australian.
?A couple of clubs were interested in me and I had trials with a Greek Second Division club called Ethnikos Asteras which was a great experience for me.
?I would have liked to have stayed but I had passport issues which has been on-going for two years now which I hope to sort out soon.
?Again, playing abroad would be a dream of mine and I hope to one day be part of a professional set-up overseas.?
-By Mark Stavroulakis