It was the green light Wollongong Wolves Head Coach Luke Wilkshire was waiting for – the news that 2019 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s Player of the Year and Golden Boot winner Thomas James will recommence his football journey with the South Coast club when they face Blacktown City this Sunday afternoon.
The 27-year-old experienced a frustrating time during his short-term Hyundai A-League stint with Perth Glory under coach Tony Popovic which resulted in James wanting to return back to the Wolves to play regular football once more.
Wilkshire was relieved that his star attacker will be ready to go this Sunday with the former Socceroo hoping his prized English import can spur his side in front of goals after going down 3-1 to Sydney United 58 last Sunday.
“I’m just happy that TJ can now play again having gone through a poor experience with Perth and the way he was treated, especially with not releasing him.
“TJ hasn’t played since COVID-19 hit and we are all looking forward to seeing him enjoying his football once again.”
The London born attacker took the NPL NSW Men’s competition by storm in 2019 scoring 24 goals in what was a big year for not only himself but the Wolves as well who took out the Premiership.
The arrival of James has come at an ideal time for Wilkshire who lost one of their talented young strikers in Bul Juach through injury with the 19-year-old undergoing ankle surgery today.
Juach was in fine form during the start of the rebooted NPL NSW Men’s season, scoring three goals, but was stretched off in their match against Sydney United 58.
“Bul underwent surgery today and will start his recovery process and will be back for the next NPL NSW Men’s season.
“We are a tight knit group and are all here to support one another through all this, so he will come back stronger than ever.”
