Hukporti healing alongside his teammates

Less than three weeks removed from his season-ending achilles injury, Ariel Hukporti is already back at training, supporting his teammates and learning from his coaches.

Sporting a new cast as he progresses through the recovery process, the 20-year-old was embraced by his teammates, who prepared for their blockbuster clash with the Sydney Kings on Sunday afternoon.

Speaking after practice, Xavier Rathan-Mayes said the team was thrilled to have Hukporti back around the group.

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“To be able to see him getting back into the gym, to have him around us, to be able to continue to have him as a part of this family means the world to us and obviously to him too,” he said.

“We’re doing everything we can to keep him included and to make him feel like he’s at home and to help him through this tough road ahead of him.

“I think what’s so great about Melbourne. That we have such a family-like atmosphere and a group that has rallied around each other and around Ari to make sure he is going to be stable and make sure that he knows he’s going to come back better than ever.”

United are hoping to see a capacity crowd on Sunday afternoon for the matchup against the Kings, which will feature the debut of the Roll’d Rally Towel.

One will be available for free on every seat in the stadium as United hope to fill every seat when the Kings come to town, so they can BRING THE BLUE as every fan waves their rally towel in the air.

Get in quick, as tickets are sure to fly off the shelves! Tickets are available NOW, while memberships remain available for those looking to lock in their seat for every United game this season!