JOE Ledley will spend the next 10 days churning out kilometres on an exercise bike in his Sydney hotel room but coach Carl Robinson doubts that the Welsh international will be fit enough for the Jets' A-League restart against Sydney FC.
After a three-month layoff, the Jets play the first of their final four games against the Sky Blues on July 21.
The rest of the squad have been in full training for two weeks and had been following individual programs during the shutdown.
Robinson, like Ledley, is holed up in a hotel in quarantine after he arrived back from Canada on Sunday.
"Joe has an exercise bike in his room and has a workout plan to follow," Robinson said. "It's going to be difficult because he will only have 12 days of football training.
"The first game has got to be the players who are up to speed, who are fitter. The circumstances dictate that I have to pick the fittest players. The good thing is that i can make five subs, which is a smart rule. The fittest boys will play and the others will have an impact off the bench.
"I have seen the data ... they have kept themselves in shape and I have to give them credit for that. But until I'm actually on the field and sensing it and seeing it ... some players are naturally fit and they look fit but they are not football fit.
"The biggest thing for me will be the mental side of players. I don't know how they have coped. Every individual has been through a different circumstance in relation to being stood down, the FFA uncertainty and the virus."
With the Jets taking on the Mariners, just three days after Sydney, Ledley is more likely to be ready to start in the final two home games against Western United (August 3) and Wellington (August 11).
Although Robinson has challenged the Jets to win the final four games, he also has an eye to next season.
"We want to hit the ground running but so does every other team," said Robinson who has been in constant contact with the coaching staff. "All I keep hearing is that there has to be integrity in the competition and a level playing field. Based upon the pandemic and based upon the situation it can't be.
"Wellington are in a bubble for two weeks in quarantine, Sydney are sleeping at home with their families and going to the same training facility, Adelaide and Perth have to play every game away ... every circumstance is different. It's not a level playing field. You just have to deal with it.
"My thing with the boys will be let's not have any excuses, this is what I expect from you, let's go and try to win four games."
Ledley joined the Jets on a short-term contract in February and made three appearances, the last a near man-of-the-match performance in the 2-1 win over Melbourne City - the last game before the league was suspended.
"Joe really enjoyed it when he came over last time," Robinson said. "I have know for him for years but it is the first time he has worked for me as a manager. I said come out for the last four games and we will see where we are at [for next season]."
