Brisbane Strikers coach Chay Hews is preparing to let loose his prized goal scorer, Matt Thurtell, on CQFC Energy and the NPL this Saturday night in Rockhampton.

Thurtell, who boasts a phenomenal return of 88 goals from 68 matches for the Strikers, has not played since last April when he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in the Round 7 match against Western Pride in Ipswich.

The 21-year-old striker, known as “Turtle” to his teammates, needed surgery to repair the damage but has completed his rehabilitation a month ahead of schedule.

Hews said he felt the time was right to put Thurtell on the plane to Rockhampton this weekend to make his return to football.

 “He’s ready”, said Hews after watching Thurtell come through Thursday training unscathed.

“It’s come down to his decision after some long discussions with the physios. He’s been training really well and he just feels like he’s a hundred percent ready and there’s no point waiting.”

“We’re not going to give him 90 minutes – he’s got to work his way into it,” Hews qualified.

“But he looks good, he looks fit and he looks ready. He’ll be on the bench and will be introduced to the game at some stage”.

Thurtell said he was confident he was once more ready for the rigours of National Premier Leagues football.

“Having trained for two or three months, and been in full training for three weeks now, I know I’m ready”, he said.

“I think it’s time now to start playing again. I’ve been involved in training games and stuff like that and I’m just really looking forward to getting back into playing again and getting back with the team.”

Thurtell said he could not have done anything more to ensure he returns to the playing field fully recovered.

“I know that over the last ten-plus months I’ve done absolutely everything that I could to make sure my knee was as strong and as back-to-normal as possible” he said.

“My rehab was 95 percent solely myself.  Unfortunately, after about three months when I could come back running, the season had finished so all my running, all my gym, was done by myself.

“I went down to the park and did everything. There’s been no-one helping me apart from the physio and I know in myself I’ve done everything possible.”

“I know that it’s strong. It feels strong and I’ve had no problems through my rehab so I’m really happy how it’s gone”.

In other good news for the Strikers, Hews has bolstered his midfield stocks this week with the signing of former QAS skipper Jack Bladen.

The 18-year-old has just returned home from a stint with Adelaide United’s youth squad and will also be on the plane to Rockhampton.

“Jack is a quality midfielder and, to be honest with you, he’s just too good to pass up”, Hews said.

“With the skill he has, he’s a ball-playing midfielder who fits right into our style and what I want to do at the club, and he seems like a good lad.

“ He’s got a real positive energy about him and he seems honest and hard-working.”

“I think he’ll be a good addition for us and I think we’ll get some good use out of him throughout the season”.

Kick-off against CQFC Energy at Rugby Park on Saturday is scheduled for 7:00PM.