Sydney FC star Nick Carle is relishing a return to a familiar midfield role as the Sky Blues build towards Sunday’s crunch A-League clash with his former club Newcastle.

Carle has predominantly been used as a supporting striker this season, with Sydney coach Vitezslav Lavicka promoting the former Socceroo further forward to give his frontline an injection of pace.

But an injury to young gun Terry Antonis (hamstring) allowed Carle to drop back into the middle of the park in last week’s 2-2 draw with Melbourne Victory, with striker Bruno Cazarine and Mark Bridge handed a rare start together up front.

With Antonis set to be sidelined for at least another month and Brett Emerton in doubt for the match with a hamstring strain, Carle will again likely be let off the leash in midfield.

“I really did enjoy it, I feel like I get a lot more ball in there,” Carle said on Tuesday.

“We played in a flat four so I wasn’t so much the number 10 but more like a number eight and I loved it.

“It felt like I was involved in the game a lot and really enjoyed it but as I’ve said to the coaching staff, wherever they want me to play, I’m more than happy to do a job.”

While Lavicka has been reluctant to pair Cazarine and Bridge together this season, Carle felt the partnership had potential.

“I think it’s a great combination,” Carle said.

“They’ve both got different attributes that I think suit the team but it’s up to the coaching staff to decide where they’ll play. I love having them up there.”

Sydney’s finals prospects hang in the balance ahead of Sunday’s clash, with the Jets able to leapfrog them into sixth spot with a victory.

Gary van Egmond’s side enters the match on a high following an upset away win to reigning champions Brisbane Roar.

“They haven’t been on a good run but that result will give them a lot of confidence,” said Carle, who claimed the 2006/07 Johnny Warren Medal as the player of the season with the Jets.

Sydney on Tuesday announced a partnership with the Sydney Children’s Hospital Foundation, with Carle and several other players holding a football clinic with 10 of the hospital’s patients and their families.

“It’s great to put a smile on their faces … When you see the bravery of these kids it makes you realise how lucky you are sometimes and how quickly things can change,” Carle said.