McFlynn tips Del Piero to stay at Sydney FC

Sydney FC captain Terry McFlynn is confident superstar Alessandro Del Piero won't abandon the Sky Blues next season amid interest from other clubs.

Del Piero's future beyond this A-League season has been the subject of speculation this week, with Sydney yet to offer him a contract extension.

The Sky Blues said on Tuesday they wanted to keep the Italian great at the club and talks would commence soon. However, league leaders Central Coast have also signalled their interest in signing the 38-year-old.

McFlynn, though, believes Del Piero's first preference will be to finish the job he started with the Sky Blues, who are last after 11 rounds.

"He's won everything in the game ... every competition he's entered since he was a kid, he's won it," McFlynn said of the former Juventus star. "This is no different. He wants to win it and he sees this as something unfinished for him."

McFlynn was not surprised by another A-League rival signalling their interest in Del Piero.

"He's a world-class footballer and I think any football club in the world would have him and we're just privileged and honoured to have him here," the midfielder said. "He's a fantastic person and a great character and for everyone at this football club, from the management to the players, we learn something from him every day."

McFlynn will return from suspension in Saturday night's clash with Newcastle at Hunter Stadium as the Sky Blues look to bounce back from a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Western Sydney. Del Piero came off the bench in the loss due to a hamstring complaint but trained fully with the side on Wednesday and looks likely to return to the starting team.

Saturday's match represents a huge opportunity for Sydney to return to form, with the Jets winless in five games and coming off three straight losses. But McFlynn stressed Sydney had only been focusing on themselves heading into a crucial run of matches.

"We have to get our own backyard in order first," he said. "We're still within touching distance of the rest of the pack but we have to start winning games."

Centre back Pascal Bosschaart missed part of Wednesday's training session with a calf complaint but is expected to be fit to face the Jets.

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Source: ESPN