Perth Glory will receive a huge boost in their clash against Queensland on Saturday with the return of star striker Nikita Rukavytsya.
Perth Glory will receive a huge boost in their clash against Queensland on Saturday with the return of star striker Nikita Rukavytsya.
The 21 year old has returned to tackle the Roar after completing a week long trial with FC Twente in the Netherlands.
“It-s great to have Nikita back for this game, he is a wonderful young footballer and eager to play as many games as he can and his inclusion will definitely give our attack some added potency,” said Coach Dave Mitchell.
While no decision has yet been made if Rukavytsya will complete a transfer to the Dutch first division side his inclusion will no doubt be a timely boost for Perth as they look to finish their season on a high.
Mitchell has also named four of the club-s Youth Team players, including striker Anthony Skorich who scored a wonderful hat-trick last weekend and versatile midfielder/defender Dean Evans who could make his Hyundai A-League debut after a quality season in the National Youth League.
Jimmy Downey also returns to the line-up after overcoming a niggling stomach injury however defender David Tarka-s retched run with injuries has continued, this time forced out with a hip problem. Captain Jamie Coyne has also been ruled out with a glute injury after being unable to complete training on Thursday.
“We-re looking to give a few of the young boys another opportunity to see what they can do. We-ll have a good balance between their enthusiasm and the experience of our other lads and be a very competitive squad,” Mitchell said.
“There is a lot on the line for Queensland this week but we-re determined not to let them have it all their own way. It-s important for us to also finish our season on the right note.
“The last time we played at Suncorp the score line didn-t reflect the excellent performance that we produced, if we can go there and this time take our chances then we-ll be well on the way to taking the three points,” Mitchell said.
Perth Glory Squad – 2008/09 Hyundai A-League: Rd 21
Queensland Roar v Perth Glory
Saturday, 24 January 2009 at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Kick off 6.00pm (AWDT)
Match Radio Broadcast on 6PR 882am – click here to listen
Perth Glory Squad: 30.Tando VELAPHI (gk), 1.Jason PETKOVIC (gk), 2.Nikolai TOPOR-STANLEY, 5.Jamie HARNWELL, 7.Nick RIZZO, 11.Scott BULLOCH, 13.Nikita RUKAVYTSYA, 15.Hayden DOYLE, 16.Adriano PELLEGRINO, 17.Jimmy DOWNEY, 19.Naum SEKULOVSKI, 22.Wayne SRHOJ, 24.Anthony SKORICH, 28.Andrija JUKIC, 29.Victor SIKORA, 31.Scott NEVILLE, 32.Dean EVANS
* two to be omitted
In: 13.Nikita RUKAVYTSYA (return from trial in Holland), 17.Jimmy DOWNEY (return from injury), 24.Anthony SKORICH (promoted from Youth Team), 32.Dean EVANS (promoted from Youth Team)
Out: 3.David TARKA (hip – season), Jamie COYNE (glute – 1 week)
Unavailable: Josip MAGDIC (ankle – season), AMARAL (hamstring – season), James ROBINSON (abdomen – season), Frank JURIC (shoulder – test), Eugene DADI (on loan to FC Vaduz), Dino DJULBIC (transfer to Rot Weiss Ahlen – Germany), Hayden FOXE (leg – season), Mark LEE (foot – 1 week), Marc ANTHONY (hamstring – 1 week), Adrian TRINIDAD (ankle – 1 week)
Queensland Roar Squad: 1. Liam REDDY (gk), 2.Andrew PACKER, 4.Craig MOORE (c), 5.Josh McCLOUGHAN, 7.Michael ZULLO, 8.Massimo MURDOCCA, 9.Sergio VAN DIJK, 10. Charlie MILLER, 12. Tahj MINNIECON, 14.Ben GRIFFIN, 15.Matthew McKAY, 17.Mitch NICHOLS, 18.Danny TIATTO, 19. Isaka CERNAK, 20.Griffin McMASTER (gk), 21.Tommy OAR, 22. Robbie KRUSE, 23. Tim SMITS.
*three to be omitted
In: 1. Liam REDDY (returns from injury), 12. Tahj MINNIECON (returns from injury), 19. Isaka CERNAK (promoted), 21.Tommy OAR (promoted), 23. Tim SMITS (promoted).
Out: 16.Hyuk-Su SEO (calf injury), 40. Matt HAM (end of short-term injury contract)
Unavailable: REINALDO (groin injury), Luke DEVERE (hamstring injury)
