Sydney FC's marquee man Nick Carle admits he has been playing with an injury so far this season. The former Crystal Palace man was expected to return to the A-League and dominate with the reigning champions but things have not worked out as planned for Carle and the Sky Blues.

Yesterday, Carle told the Herald that he had been playing with a foot problem and said it may be something to do with his form flailing in the opening five games of the season.

''It's a foot-tendon strain that comes about from overuse and it just needs a bit of a rest,'' Carle said yesterday. ''I don't want to make a big deal of it because players have to put up with niggles all the time.

"The only problem I'm finding is that it has affected my training and I'm a big believer in training at full intensity and giving all you can on the track. I've had to restrict my training and I absolutely hate that.''

Carle said the lack of training was the main issue as his fitness is not increasing but admitted that on matchday, the injury doesn't pose too much of a problem.

''At the moment I'm taking a couple of Panadols before I go out to play and I don't notice it that much during the game," he added.

"I don't think it's hindering my play that much and I certainly don't want to use it as an excuse. There's one game before the bye, a very important one, and I'm sure I can make it through.''

Sydney have had a horror run with injuries so far this season with strikers Alex Brosque and Mark Bridge, captain Terry McFlynn and now acting skipper Stuart Musialik missing matches but Carle says things will turn for the better soon.

''I've never been at a club with a coaching staff as professional as this and we have a united dressing room that has the ability to turn this around,'' Carle said.

''It's been so disappointing to begin as we have but I'm sure it won't take long for this team, with the players we have, to start winning games.''