Marquee midfielder Nick Carle is close to a return for the struggling Sydney FC.

The 29-year old former Crystal Palace man has had a wretched run of injuries since arriving back in his homeland but a recent back injury seems to have subsided and Carle is in the mix for Thursday's vital clash with Melbourne Heart at Sydney Football Stadium.

"I'll definitely be putting my hand up for selection but it's obviously up to the coaching staff now about how they want to bring me back and whether they want to start me or put me on the bench,'' Carle said yesterday.

''There's no escaping I've been out for a very long time and have hardly played at all this season so we'll have to see what the gaffer decides to do but I'm feeling good and can't wait to get back playing with the first team.''

Carle got through 45 minutes of the Sky Blues' youth league match against Adelaide United on the weekend and feels that he has done enough to earn a first team recall.

"I'm stoked I was able to get through the 45 minutes and not come out of the game injured,'' he added.

''It's been one of those seasons where I haven't been able to put two games on the bounce together so this was a real relief. It was a much-needed game because I've been out for so long that I felt I needed to get my legs in a youth game. The young boys were brilliant and Steve Corica [youth coach] was really good to work with. I'm glad I got through, and now I'm ready to go.''