Perth Glory captain Jacob Burns is hopeful the team can celebrate a huge milestone match for Jamie Harnwell with a confidence-boosting win over ladder leader Adelaide United on Friday night.
Perth Glory captain Jacob Burns is hopeful the team can celebrate a huge milestone match for Jamie Harnwell with a confidence-boosting win over ladder leader Adelaide United on Friday night.
Harnwell will be playing his 242nd game for the Glory in both the old NSL and current Hyundai A-League, and will be breaking Bobby Despotovski’s record for games played at the club in the process.
Burns, though, was quick to say gaining victory over the unbeaten Reds was as much about the Glory getting back on track after consecutive losses as anything else.
But the skipper admitted that Harnwell’s milestone match may just give the Glory their zing back, after some lethargic performances against Gold Coast United and Newcastle Jets.
“I think Jamie lifts the boys just being there,” Burns said on Tuesday.
“And, I think the fact he’s breaking the record for the club gives us added incentive to want to do well and want to win for him and also for ourselves.”
Although Burns has only played with Harnwell for just over a season, he hailed the veteran utility’s contribution to the club.
“I’ve known Jamie for years,” Burns said. “I played against him in the old NSL days, I think he was playing when there was black-and-white TV back then.”
“It’s a fantastic achievement for him and he’s a club man, the supporters love him and he’s fantastic to have around the club and he’s been on fire.”
“He’s been in very good form and he’s stepped up (to hold a central defensive position). He’s got heavy competition in his place but it’s a wonderful achievement for a fantastic pro.”
“To beat Bobby’s record is a great achievement. (Hopefully) he not only breaks it this week but goes on to play most of the season and who knows what can happen after that.”
Despite the positive vibe surrounding Harnwell’s big game, the Glory head into Friday night’s encounter at Hindmarsh Stadium with several injury concerns, notably Burns himself.
Burns didn’t complete training on Tuesday and spent almost an hour receiving treatment on a sore hamstring by the training track.
Having had hamstring issues last year, Burns said the medical staff were just being careful.
“I just think I’m getting old,” he said. “It’s just a bit of precaution. I pulled up a bit tight after last week’s game.”
“It should be all right, get some treatment tomorrow, should be all right gong into Friday.”
Despite Burns’ confidence it seems likely he will have to pass a fitness test later in the week, along with goalkeeper Tando Velaphi, who was on light duties on Tuesday as he recovers from a groin complaint.
Star striker Robbie Fowler also took a heavy hit to his shoulder during last Friday’s loss to Newcastle, but the 35-year-old has completed the last two training sessions and should be right to play against the Reds.
Adelaide, however, will be weakened considerably by the loss of young top scorer Matthew Leckie, who will be in camp with the Qantas Young Socceroos ahead of the AFC U-19 Championships, which will be played in China next month.
