The forward, who will be lining up in his fourth Premier League game, is out on a difficult mission – to break the competition leaders’ defence in the match which starts at 3.20pm.

He hasn’t had long to assess the hockey, but the young player has enjoyed what he’s come up against.

“It’s a completely different game here. There’s a lot more space, and not as much close contact but as a forward I guess that suits me,” he said.

“I’ve only had brief conversations about what to expect for this week, [I] haven’t had much time to take it in yet.

“They’re a great bunch of lads, really great to settle in with them.”

Sherwani arrived in Australia on July 8, and will be working as a residential advisor at All Saints’. He will be available for Souths until July next year when his gap year ends.

He comes from a strong hockey family and is hoping to show the Pat’s defence what he’s capable of.

“My dad Imran played for GB [Great Britain] and won Olympic gold with them in 1988 so I guess there’s a lot to live up to,” he said.

“My brother Zac did the same thing as I did two years ago when he played for the club, and that’s where the Souths connection comes from for me.”

Sherwani hasn’t wasted time making an impact, getting his name on the score sheets in Souths’ 5-1 win over the Orange Wanderers a fortnight ago. Souths followed that up with a 3-1 defeat to Parkes last week, but the new recruit is hoping the two blues have learnt their lesson. 

“Obviously I’ve come late in the season and I’ve had to adjust for that, and now we’re on the push for that third spot,” Sherwani said. “Last week was a bit of a knock-back for us so hopefully we can step it up this time. I think maybe we were too confident after the week before. 

“We need to make sure that we’re just focused on the match that’s coming up this time.”

Souths still sit in third despite the defeat last Saturday, sitting on 20 points to keep them two clear of Parkes. Wanderers remain in the hunt a further two points back.