Rodwell added to Wanderers' derby squad
Western Sydney signing Jack Rodwell could make his A-League Men debut in Saturday's derby clash with Sydney FC.
The former England international, who has signed a one-year deal with the Wanderers, was on Friday included in the Wanderers' extended squad for their season-opener against the Sky Blues at Commbank Stadium.
The former Everton, Manchester City and Sunderland player is one of several new faces in the Wanderers squad, including captain Rhys Williams, fringe Socceroo Dimi Petratos and Japanese loanee Keijiro Ogawa.
Whether Rodwell features in Saturday's match is uncertain but his addition in the squad adds intrigue to the clash.
A teen prodigy who debuted for Everton at 16, Rodwell made a big-money move to City in 2012 but made just 16 appearances before joining Sunderland two years later.
In four years at the Stadium of Light, Rodwell struggled with injuries and was cast as a money-hungry villain during a Netflix documentary about the club after Sunderland's relegation from the English Premier League.
Wanderers coach Carl Robinson said the key was making the 30-year-old fall in love with the game once more.
"I think he lost his enjoyment in football. If you speak to Jack he's open and honest enough (to say that)," Robinson told AAP.
"In the UK, there's a narrative around footballers in general.
"I said to him that he will enjoy his football, we will embrace him and we want good players in the building."
