Perth Glory Coach Dave Mitchell has taken added precautions to ensure Chris Coyne is fit for the clash against Brisbane after the key defender pulled up sore following a mid-week intra club match.
Perth Glory Coach Dave Mitchell has taken added precautions to ensure Chris Coyne is fit for the clash against Brisbane after the key defender pulled up sore following a mid-week intra club match.
Coyne felt his hamstring tighten during the Perth-s 0-0 draw against Central Coast last weekend and while it-s not expected to stop him lining up against the Roar on Sunday at ME Bank Stadium, Mitchell opted to give the defender a rest from Friday-s training session.
The Socceroo has formed a terrific partnership with Andy Todd in the heart of defence and the pair has been outstanding over the last month. Their efforts helping Glory keep consecutive clean sheets while Perth has conceded just one goal from three games following the FIFA break.
“We want to make sure that Chris is available for Sunday and by resting him, it was the right thing to do,” Mitchell said on Friday.
“It’s just a precaution and while he can rest he should take it.”
Returning veteran Jamie Harnwell will be on stand-by to come into the squad should Coyne be unavailable. Harnwell played his first game last week since injuring his knee two months ago and Mitchell could use him off the bench if necessary.
“If Chris doesn’t pull through then Jamie (Harnwell) is an option for us off the bench,” Mitchell said.
“Jamie got some game time last week and could do a job for us if needed.”
The Roar have injury issues of their own and four players from the team that defeated Wellington 4-1 last week will not make the trip west to tackle Glory.
Matt McKay is gone for three matches with a quad injury while coach Ange Postecoglou ruled out Reinaldo and Danny Tiatto, the pair both suffering hamstring complaints. Charlie Miller is also out of the side after mutually terminating his contract with Brisbane on Friday afternoon.
Reinaldo scored a brace against the Phoenix and his attacking threat will be missed, but the Roar regained instrumental midfielder Henrique for this game after the Brazilian served a one-match ban for earning a red card in the Round 15 loss to Melbourne.
Forwards Sergio van Dijk and Tommy Oar are also in good touch although Mitchell is confident his side can maintain its good run of form at home.
“The league is that tight it’s important that when you play at home you win,” Mitchell said.
“We hadn’t beaten Brisbane in Queensland and when we went up there earlier this year we beat them which was an important result.
“It’s setting a trend that we’re confident we can beat anyone either at home or away and we’ve just got to maintain that,” he said.
