Striker Adam Taggart is itching to make his first start since Round 5 when Glory tackle Melbourne City at nib Stadium on Tuesday evening.
The 24-year-old marked his return from a hamstring injury by coming off the bench at half time against Adelaide United last Friday and came close to grabbing his side a lifeline with a late effort that fizzed narrowly wide.
And he’s determined to help fire Glory back into the winners’ circle at the expense of Warren Joyce’s expensively-assembled side in this week’s Round 15 clash.
“After the last couple of games, it’s a blessing that we have the opportunity to turn it around quickly rather than have to wait seven days or something,” he said.
“Especially being at home for the fans and the club, we need to make sure that we take all three points.
“We’re not hiding from the fact that there needs to be a big improvement.
“But if we keep working hard and putting our mistakes right, I don’t see why the club can’t be in a good position come the end of the season and go on a run into the finals.”
On a personal note, meanwhile, the Socceroos frontman is naturally delighted to be back in action following a lengthy and frustrating lay-off.
“I’m looking forward to the game,” he said. “I’m a different person when I’m back on the field and playing.
“I didn’t pull up sore at all after the Adelaide game which was a really positive sign and that has given me some confidence in my hamstring in the sense that I can now push it a little bit harder.
“If I can do that and we come away with three points, I’ll be the happiest man in the world.
“If I’m selected to start, I’ll be ready. My body feels fine and I just want to be playing games and scoring goals.”
In further good news on the injury front, Scott Neville appears to be close to a return from his toe problem and Xavi Torres is showing steady improvement as he attempts to shake off a groin issue.
Mitch Nichols (hamstring), however, will again be ruled out and the City game is also expected to come too soon for Joel Chianese and Shane Lowry (both groin).
Kick off for the game is at 7pm and don’t forget that kids go FREE.
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Match Details
Tuesday, 9 January 2018
Perth Glory v Melbourne City FC
nib Stadium, Perth
Kick-Off: 7:00 PM (Local) (10:00 PM AEDT)
Referee: Jarred Gillett
Assistant Referee 1: Josh Mannella
Assistant Referee 2: Arvin Shanmuganathan
Fourth Official: Adam Fielding
Video Assistant Referee: Eddie Lennie
Join the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #PERvMCY
Perth Glory Squad: 2.Alex GRANT, 5.Jacob POSCOLIERO, 9.Andy KEOGH (c), 13 Nick FEELY (Gk), 14.Chris HAROLD, 16.Joseph MILLS, 17.Diego CASTRO, 18.Andreu GUERAO, 19.Joe KNOWLES, 20.Jake BRIMMER , 22.Adam TAGGART, 24.Callum TIMMINS, 26.Jacob ITALIANO, 27.Riley WARLAND, 29.Jeremy WALKER, 33.Liam REDDY (Gk), 34.Yagoub MUSTAFA, 36.Henry HORE
**two to be omitted**
Ins: 34.Yagoub MUSTAFA (promoted), 36.Henry HORE (promoted)
Outs: 6.Mitch NICHOLS (hamstring – 1-2 weeks)
Unavailable: 3.Marc WARREN (ankle – 3-4 weeks), 4.Shane LOWRY (groin – 1-2 weeks), 6.Mitch NICHOLS (hamstring – 1-2 weeks), 7.Joel CHIANESE (groin – 1-2 weeks), 8.Xavi TORRES (groin – 1 week), 23.Scott NEVILLE (toe – 1 week), 25.Daniel STYNES (hamstring – 1-2 weeks), 15.Brandon WILSON (international duty)
Melbourne City FC Squad: 1.Dean BOUZANIS (Gk), 2.Manny MUSCAT, 3. Scott JAMIESON, 4.Harrison DELBRIDGE, 5.Bart SCHENKEVELD, 6.Osama MALIK, 7.Nick FITZGERALD, 8.Neil KILKENNY, 9.Marcelo CARRUSCA, 10.Dario VIDOSIC, 14.Daniel ARZANI, 18.Eugene GALEKOVIC (Gk), 22.Michael JAKOBSEN (c), 25.Iacopo LA ROCCA, 26.Luke BRATTAN, 27.Marcin BUDZINSKI, 37.Nathaniel ATKINSON, 44.Ross MCCORMACK
**two to be omitted**
Ins: 8.Neil KILKENNY (promoted), 25. Iacopo LA ROCCA (promoted)
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 11.Bruce KAMAU (international duty), 13.Stefan MAUK (international duty), 21.Ruon TONGYIK (international duty), 23. Bruno Fornaroli (ankle)
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