Shipard back to take care of 'unfinished business'

Star Canberra midfielder Sally Shipard hopes moving back to the capital for the W-League finals will boost her bid to lead United to its inaugural title.

And Shipard says she has ''unfinished business'' with Canberra before she starts a dream professional contract with German powerhouse Bayer Leverkusen later this month.

Shipard has spent most of United's W-League season on the road, driving the 600km round trip between Sydney and Canberra almost every week to fulfil her work and soccer commitments.

As well as occasional trips to Darwin and Tasmania, Shipard racked up 2940km over nine weeks driving from her Wanniassa home to the place she was renting in Ashfield.

The travel took its toll on the Australian representative as she juggled working at the Football Federation Australia three days a week before returning to Canberra for United training on Wednesday nights.

But after landing a deal with Bayer Leverkusen, Shipard resigned from her job, packed all her Sydney belongings into her car this week and will remain in Canberra until the finals campaign ends.

''The whole idea of having all your bits and pieces in [Sydney and Canberra] ... it's hard to live in two separate places,'' Shipard said.

''I left Sydney [on Wednesday] and I haven't felt so whole now that I'm in Canberra for good, it was so satisfying knowing I was all in one place.

''It was a bizarre feeling to live two different lives ... it was a great opportunity for me and I loved it but it's great to be back here, especially for the start of the finals.''

United will attempt to extend its unbeaten season when it clashes with the Melbourne Victory at McKellar Park tomorrow.

United beat Melbourne 2-1 in November, but could only manage a 1-1 draw in the return match last month.

Shipard will be crucial to Canberra's hopes of advancing to the grand final after the team's stellar regular season.

Melbourne's midfield is one of the most dominant in the competition and Shipard said Canberra needed to take away the Victory's attacking flair to be successful. The 24-year-old is determined not to let Canberra slip up in the finals.

Shipard is one of several United players going overseas to play during the W-League off-season.

Michelle Heyman, Aroon Clansey and Emma Kete are chasing deals with Liverpool, Lydia Williams will play in Sweden and Taryn Hemmings will return to the United States.