Perth Glory coach Dave Mitchell admits he has a selection headache ahead of the club’s match against North Queensland on Saturday but its one he’s not complaining about too much.
Perth Glory coach Dave Mitchell admits he has a selection headache ahead of the club-s match against North Queensland on Saturday but its one he-s not complaining about too much.
Mitchell has been wrestling with a variety of combinations available to him plus the expected addition of marquee striker Mile Sterjovski who has been working hard to overcome a leg injury in time for the match.
After Perth produced their best 45 minutes of football during the second half against Gold Coast last Sunday there is also the temptation for Mitchell not to tinker with a successful formula.
“There are options for this game and we-re looking at a few scenarios which we think can turn the outcome in our favour, that-s what selection time is all about,” Mitchell said.
“The boys that came in last week have done well and we have good players who are vying for a spot, there is a bit of selection headache but that is a good thing and it is healthy to have that competition in the squad.
“Mile has been doing a bit more work this week which is positive and he could start, or have an impact off the bench as he overcomes the knock to his leg,” said Mitchell.
Young gun midfielder Howard Fondyke joins Sterjovski as additions to an extended squad, the 19 year old rewarded for several outstanding performances with Glory-s youth team.
Perth has enjoyed an ideal preparation for their clash against the Fury by opting to stay on the east coast rather than flying to and from Queensland twice in a week.
“The players have enjoyed it and with everyone together in the same place we-ve been able to go through things in depth and they-re all looking forward to the challenge this week,” Mitchell said.
“I was really pleased with our second half last week and will be looking for another performance like that over the 90 minutes against the Fury.
“It-ll be a tough game, I don-t think North Queensland has been getting their just rewards from their performances and they-re due a win, so we-ll be doing everything to make sure it doesn-t come at our expense.”
Hyundai A-League 2009/10 – Rd 12
North Queensland Fury v Perth Glory
Saturday, 24 October 2009 at Dairy Farmers Stadium, Townsville
Kick-off: 5.30pm (AWST)
Referee: Peter Green
Club radio broadcast partner 6PR 882AM – www.6pr.com.au – click here to listen.
Live & exclusive television broadcast on Fox Sports 1 and Sky Sports 1.
North Queensland Fury squad: 1.Paul HENDERSON (GK), 2.Robbie MIDDLEBY, 3.Chris TADROSSE, 6.Ufuk TALAY, 7.Jason SPAGNUOLO, 9.Robbie FOWLER (c), 10. Jeremy BROCKIE, 11.David WILLIAMS, 14.Chris GROSSMAN, 15.Fred AGIUS, 17.Osama MALIK 18.James ROBINSON, 19.Daniel MCBREEN, 20.Justin PASFIELD, (RGK), 21.John TAMBOURAS, 24. Dyron DAAL. 23. Rostyn GRIFFITHS
*two be omitted
In: Osama MALIK (promoted)
Out: Jack Hingert (not selected), Beau Busch (not selected)
Unavailable: Jacob Timpano (hamstring – indefinite), Karl DODD (Knee -5 weeks), Shane STEFANUTTO (knee – indefinite), Scott WILSON (knee – indefinite)
Perth Glory Squad: 1.Tando VELAPHI (gk), 3.Jamie COYNE, 6.Chris COYNE, 7.Jacob BURNS (c), 8.Victor SIKORA, 10.Wayne SRHOJ, 11.Branko JELIC, 12.Scott NEVILLE, 13.Scott BULLOCH, 14.Eugene DADI, 15.Howard FONDYKE, 16.Adriano PELLEGRINO, 17.Todd HOWARTH, 19.Naum SEKULOVSKI, 20.Aleks VRTESKI (gk), 21.Mile STERJOVSKI, 23.Andrija JUKIC
*two to be omitted
In: Mile STERJOVSKI (return from injury), Howard FONDYKE (promoted)
Out: Nil
Unavailable: Andy TODD (suspended – 1 week), Jimmy DOWNEY (knee – 3 weeks), Brent GRIFFITHS (hamstring – 6 weeks), Jamie HARNWELL (knee – 6 weeks)
*Head-to-Head: Played 1: North Queensland Fury wins 0, Perth Glory wins 0 (1 draw)
