Several key players are poised to come back into selection consideration ahead of Glory’s clash with Melbourne Victory on Saturday (kick off at 4.50pm WST).
Joseph Mills (neck), Joel Chianese (groin) and Brandon Wilson (international duty) are unfortunately unavailable for the Round 16 fixture, but Shane Lowry and Mitch Nichols are among those set to make the trip east and possibly feature at AAMI Park.
Shane Lowry
Three points would lift Glory back into the top six depending on results elsewhere and Head Coach Kenny Lowe feels that his charges are relishing the prospect of facing the navy-and-whites.
“It’s another short turnaround for us and obviously our last three results have been disappointing,” he said, “but the lads have trained well this week and we’re all looking forward to getting back into it on Saturday.
“We’re gradually starting to get some players returning from injury now and those that have already come back are getting a chance to regain their match-sharpness. So without wishing to jinx it, things finally seem to be on the up for us in that sense.
“We know what Victory are all about and there’s no doubt that they have a lot of quality in their squad, but we’ve got quality as well and speaking personally, I always enjoy games against them.
“It’ll be a good atmosphere at AAMI Park and as we always do, we’ll go there targeting three points.”
Glory have drawn two of their last three away clashes with Victory, while the WA side’s last win in this fixture came in January 2015 when first-half goals from Andy Keogh and Chris Harold secured the points in a game played at Geelong’s Simonds Stadium.
Kevin Muscat’s side did, of course, down Glory at nib Stadium back in Round 7, but they have won only one of their seven home games so far this term and will be without Rhys Williams on Saturday after the former Glory defender was sent off against Wellington on Wednesday evening.
Match Details
Saturday, 13 January 2018
Melbourne Victory v Perth Glory
AAMI Park, Melbourne
Kick-Off: 4:50PM (WST) (7:50PM Local)
Referee: Alex King
Assistant Referee 1: Anton Shchentinin
Assistant Referee 2: Daniel Ilievski
Fourth Official: Lachlan Keevers
Video Assistant Referee: Jarred Gillett
TV Broadcast: Live coverage on FOX SPORTS 501 from 7.45pm (AEDT), ONE from 7:45pm and Sky Sport 3 (New Zealand)
Radio Broadcast: myfootballnation.com (1116 SEN, 6PR Perth), ABC News on Radio, Grandstand Digital, Online & via the ABC Listen App – A-League Live
Join the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #MVCvPER
To purchase tickets visit www.aleague.com.au/tickets
Melbourne Victory Squad: 1.Matt ACTON (Gk), 2.Jason GERIA, 3.Dino DJULBIC, 5.Mark MILLIGAN, 6.Leigh BROXHAM, 8.Besart BERISHA, 9.Kosta BARBAROUSES, 10.James TROISI, 16.Josh HOPE, 18.Matias SANCHEZ, 20.Lawrence THOMAS (Gk), 21.Carl VALERI (c), 22.Stefan NIGRO, 23.Jai INGHAM, 24.Terry ANTONIS, 31.Christian THEOHAROUS, 41.Leroy GEORGE
**one to be omitted**
Ins: 21.Carl VALERI (c) (returns from suspension), 16.Josh HOPE (promoted)
Outs: 4.Rhys WILLIAMS (suspended)
Unavailable: 14.Thomas DENG (international duty), 11.Mitch AUSTIN (knee), 17.James DONACHIE (quad)
Perth Glory Squad: 2.Alex GRANT, 4.Shane LOWRY, 6.Mitch NICHOLS, 8.Xavi TORRES, 9.Andy KEOGH (c), 13 Nick FEELY (Gk), 14.Chris HAROLD, 17.Diego CASTRO, 18. Andreu GUERAO, 19.Joe KNOWLES, 20.Jake BRIMMER, 22.Adam TAGGART, 23.Scott NEVILLE, 24.Callum TIMMINS, 26.Jacob ITALIANO, 27.Riley WARLAND, 29.Jeremy WALKER, 33.Liam REDDY (gk)
**two to be omitted**
Ins: 4.Shane LOWRY (returns from injury), 6.Mitch NICHOLS (returns from injury), 27.Riley WARLAND (promoted)
Outs: 37.Walter SCOTT (omitted)
Unavailable: 3.Marc WARREN (ankle – 1-2 weeks), 5.Jacob POSCOLIERO (illness – 1 week), 7.Joel CHIANESE (groin – 1 week) 15.Brandon WILSON (international duty), 16.Joseph MILLS (neck – 1 week), 25.Daniel STYNES (hamstring – 1-2 weeks)
#CREATEDESTINY
