Perth Glory striker Billy Mehmet has been ruled out of Sunday’s away trip to Wellington because of injury.
Perth Glory striker Billy Mehmet has been ruled out of Sunday-s away trip to Wellington because of injury.
Scans today confirmed that Mehmet has a tear in his right calf but the in-form striker is confident he-ll only miss the one game.
“Hopefully I-ll be back for the Melbourne Heart game,” he said.
“I knew it as soon as I went down that it was more than cramp.
“But with the medical staff and facilities we have here at the club, fingers crossed
it-s just the one game I miss.”
The loss of Mehmet is a big blow for the Glory but his absence could be softened by the return of Shane Smeltz.
The New Zealand international trained with the Youth team this morning after missing the last two games with a groin injury.
Perth Glory coach Ian Ferguson has named an extended 18-man squad to travel to Wellington with Dutch defender Bas van Brink also needing to pass a fitness test. Van den Brink did not play against the Roar on Wednesday night because of hamstring soreness.
The squad will fly to Wellington on Friday morning via Sydney.
Sunday, 8 January 2012
Wellington Phoenix v Perth Glory
Westpac Stadium
Kick-off: 11am (Perth time)
Live and exclusive broadcast on FOX Sports.
Perth Glory squad: 1.Danny VUKOVIC (gk), 2.Josh MITCHELL,3.Bas van den BRINK, 5.Steve PANTELIDIS, 7.Jacob BURNS (c) 8.Adam HUGHES, 9.Shane SMELTZ, 10.Liam MILLER, 13.Travis DODD, 14.Steven McGARRY, 15.Tommy AMPHLETT, 16.Evan BERGER, 17.Todd HOWARTH, 18. Jesse MAKAROUNAS, 19, Josh RISDON, 21.Mile STERJOVSKI, 22.Adam TAGGART, 30. Lewis ITALIANO (gk)
**three to be omitted**
In: 3.Bas van den BRINK 9.Shane SMELTZ (returns from injury), 15.Tommy AMPHLETT (promoted),18. Jesse MAKAROUNAS (promoted)
Out: 4.Billy MEHMET (calf-1 week)
Unavailable: 4.Billy MEHMET (calf-1 week), 6.Chris COYNE (Achilles), 11.Victor SIKORA (hip – long term injury list), 12.Scott NEVILLE (knee), 20.Neil YOUNG (abdominal), 27.ANDREZINHO (Hamstring -1 week)
