SYDNEY Swans defender Leo Barry is set to end the most frustrating 12 months of his career when he lines up against Geelong at ANZ Stadium on Saturday night.

A knee injury has sidelined the 2005 premiership star since January and a mid-season comeback was aborted when he suffered a setback after his first reserves game.

But Barry has played the past three reserves games for the Swans and he confirmed on Wednesday afternoon that he was set for a senior recall against the Cats.

“I’ve got to get through the last hurdle of the training session tomorrow night but at this stage, it looks as though I’ll be in the side,” he said on Wednesday.

“It’s been a big 12 months training and trying to get up. It’s been a really frustrating season but I’m looking forward to getting back into the real action.”

Barry said there were times during his long rehabilitation from knee surgery that he contemplated giving up.

However, he said he was pleased to have regained full fitness and described himself as “a young kid” in anticipation of playing at senior level on Saturday night.

“I’ve played three ‘bits and pieces’ games in the twos but nothing can prepare you for the match in the seniors.

“I’ll definitely be nervous going into the game – you have a few question marks over the amount of footy you’ve missed and hopefully you can keep up to the tempo.”

Upon signing a one-year deal at the end of 2008, Barry and the Swans had pegged 2009 as his farewell season.

Given this year’s frustrations, the 32-year-old said he was yet to make a firm decision on his future, preferring to enjoy the three remaining games this season.

And Barry said he had no regrets about playing on in 2009.

“If I had have known I was going to have the year I’ve had, I wouldn’t have played.

“But I’ve got no reservations about playing on this year. It was a new injury that I had and it was on my good knee, apparently, so that makes it even more frustrating.

“I made that decision based on how much I could give towards the team and I still felt that I could obviously have a real input into the way the team went.”

With the departure of premiership teammates Nic Fosdike, Tadhg Kennelly and Barry Hall since his most recent game, Barry conceded it would be different being surrounded by several new faces in red and white.

“Rhyce Shaw actually patted me on the back and said it would be good to play with me for the first time,” he said.

“There are a few guys I haven’t played with and that’s been one of the real highlights – watching the footy this year and particularly over the last seven or eight weeks… we rely on these new faces and new kids to improve.”