Perth Glory coach Dave Mitchell is keeping his selection cards close to his chest ahead of Saturday’s massive match against Melbourne Victory at Etihad Stadium
Perth Glory coach Dave Mitchell is keeping his selection cards close to his chest ahead of Saturday-s massive match against Melbourne Victory at Etihad Stadium.
With the club-s leading goal-scorer Branko Jelic returning from injury and new signings Steven McGarry and Daniel McBreen all available, Mitchell says he-s not sure who-ll line for the Glory.
“I haven-t decided who will play yet,” Mitchell said, as the team left from Perth.
Mitchell has started with the same eleven in the last two home games against Newcastle and Sydney FC but he-s happy to have a selection dilemma.
“The good thing is when you bolster your squad, its competition for places which can only be positive.”
Dutch star Viktor Sikora and Wayne Srhoj have both travelled with the squad but the duo will not be considered for Saturday-s clash.
Though the pair could be available for Tuesday-s match with Adelaide at Hindmarsh Stadium.
It-s a tough week for the Glory with three games in six days.
“It will certainly test our squad.”
Experienced defender Chris Coyne will re-join his team mates in Melbourne after spending the week in China.
The Socceroo is hoping to secure a contract with Super League club Shandong Luneng ahead of the World Cup.
“He-s used to flying and he-ll be part of our squad for the game.
“He-s a hard nut and he-s bullet proof when it comes to that.”
With the Victory in third spot and Perth in sixth, Mitchell is cautious of Melbourne side that has dropped its last two matches.
“At home, it will be a big crowd for the Victory and I-m pretty sure they-ll be up for it because they-ve lost second spot and they-ll want to retain.
“The race is on for them now, and for us it-s a real important game to establish ourselves as a contender, and there is no better game than Melbourne to prove a point,” he said.
Hyundai A-League 2009/10 Round 23
Melbourne Victory v Perth Glory
Saturday, 16 January 2010 at Etihad Stadium, Melbourne
Kick off: 4.00pm (AWST)
Perth Glory Radio Broadcast Partner: 6PR – 882am
Live & exclusive broadcast on Fox Sports 1HD & 1 and Sky Sport 1.
Perth Glory Squad: 1.Tando VELAPHI (gk), 3.Jamie COYNE, 4.Andy TODD, 5.Jamie HARNWELL, 6.Chris COYNE, 7.Jacob BURNS (c), 11. Branko JELIC, 12.Scott NEVILLE, 13.Scott BULLOCH, 16.Adriano PELLEGRINO, 17.Todd HOWARTH, 19.Naum SEKULOVSKI, 20.Aleks VRTESKI (gk), 21.Mile STERJOVSKI, 23.Andrija JUKIC
In: Branko JELIC (return from injury)
Out: Jimmy DOWNEY (released)
Unavailable: Wayne SRHOJ (Knee – 1 week), Viktor SIKORA (Thigh – 1 week)
Melbourne Victory squad: 1.Mitchell LANGERAK (gk), 2.Kevin MUSCAT (c), 3.Mate DUGANDZIC, 6.Leigh BROXHAM, 8.Grant BREBNER, 10.Archie THOMPSON, 12.Rodrigo VARGAS, 13.Nathan ELASI, 15.Tom PONDELJAK, 16.Carlos HERNANDEZ, 17.Matthew FOSCHINI, 20.Glen MOSS (gk), 21.Robbie KRUSE, 22.Nick WARD, 23.Adrian LEIJER, 25.Aziz BEHICH, 26.Marvin ANGULO
*two to be omitted
In: Aziz BEHICH (promoted from NYL), Nathan ELASI (promoted), Matthew FOSCHINI (promoted)
Out: Matthew KEMP (hamstring – 2 weeks)
Unavailable: Evan BERGER (hamstring, 1 week), Billy CELESKI (knee, season), Steven PACE (abdomen, indefinite), Surat SUKHA (hamstring, 2 weeks)
*Head-to-heads: All matches (played 14): Melbourne Victory wins 5, Perth Glory wins 5 (4 draws)
