Perth Glory coach Ian Ferguson says Liam Miller is almost certain to overcome his hamstring issues in time for Sunday’s Grand Final while Andrezinho is also a ’60-40′ chance to play.
Perth Glory coach Ian Ferguson says Liam Miller is almost certain to overcome his hamstring issues in time for Sunday’s Grand Final while Andrezinho is also a ’60-40′ chance to play.
Both Miller and Andrezinho have been in doubt with hamstring soreness and a groin strain respectively which restricted their training load in the lead-up to the Hyundai A-League decider against Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium.
But just before the Glory departed for their first Grand Final since their 2004 National Soccer League title, Ferguson said he was confident both would play.
Former Manchester United midfielder Miller, one of the club’s most influential players in the finals series, and Brazilian winger Andrezinho both flew out with the squad on Friday.
Ferguson said he was likely to stick with the same starting line-up Perth have used in the previous wins against the Mariners and Phoenix if both Miller and Andrezinho could prove their fitness.
“Andrezinho will be given every opportunity tomorrow to try and train … (he) is probably about 60-40 at the moment,” he said.
“Liam Miller has come back and the scans have been great. There’s no tear or anything, no strain, so hopefully he should take his place … he’s a high percentage (chance to play).
“He (Miller) is too important a player to leave out. It’s a gamble we’ll have to take, but I’m sure he’s going to be okay. It’s not too much of a gamble.
“At this point it’s probably going to be the same team.
“Stevie (McGarry) will probably be on the bench again. He’s still got a bit of a niggle and probably could get through maybe 20 to 30 minutes.”
The Glory enter the match as the underdog, with most bookmakers offering odds around 7/2 for them to win their first A-League title, even though they’ve lost just three of their past 18 games.
But Ferguson said that was of no concern to him or any of the players.
“We’ve been slaughtered from day one,” he said.
“We’re in a Grand Final and we’re still getting it, (people saying) we’ve just got a long ball game or we play unattractive football. “We’re in a Grand Final and we’re still getting it, (people saying) we’ve just got a long ball game or we play unattractive football. We’re there and that’s the main thing.
“We’re going up there quietly confident and hopefully we can put on a good show.”
The manager said his side had better stability and less injuries than the previous times they’ve played Brisbane this season, which ended in two losses and a draw, and said that would have a big impact on the outcome.
“This time we’re better prepared. We’re better set for this game. It’s a one-off game, it’s a Cup final. Anything can happen,” he said.
