Western United is drawing closer to a full-strength squad in the Isuzu UTE A-League Men ahead of the Round 11 Grand Final rematch against Melbourne City.
Nikolai Topor-Stanley is back in contention after completing his suspension last week, meaning all of United’s options at centre-back are available in the same week for the first time since Round 1.
The No.44 will compete with Tomoki Imai and Leo Lacroix for places in the starting line-up with United’s defence finding form, conceding once in the last three games.
James Troisi also returns to the extended squad after missing last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Brisbane Roar due to a calf problem.
Aleksandar Prijovic has found the net twice in that period and three times for the entire season, and he will look to lead the line again and score against Melbourne City just as he did in the Grand Final in May.
Jamie Young will move past Ante Covic into seventh all-time in Isuzu UTE A-League appearances by a goalkeeper, set to play his 185th game on Saturday.
Steven Lustica is now United’s only absentee as he continues his recovery from a hamstring injury sustained before the FIFA World Cup break.
Western United squad
Western United squad: 1. Jamie YOUNG (gk), 4. Leo LACROIX, 5. Dylan PIERIAS, 6. Tomoki IMAI, 7. Tongo DOUMBIA, 8. Lachlan WALES, 9. Dylan WENZEL-HALLS, 11. Connor PAIN, 14. James TROISI, 17. Ben GARUCCIO, 19. Josh RISDON, 23. Alessandro DIAMANTI (c), 26. Nicolas MILANOVIC, 27. Jacob TRATT, 37. Ryan SCOTT (gk), 38. Noah BOTIC, 42. Rhys BOZINOVSKI, 44. Nikolai TOPOR-STANLEY, 88. Neil KILKENNY, 99. Aleksandar PRIJOVIC
Ins: 14. James TROISI (returns from injury), 44. Nikolai TOPOR-STANLEY (returns from suspension)
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 10. Steven LUSTICA (injured)
Match Details
Isuzu UTE A-League Men Round 11
Melbourne City vs Western United
Saturday, 7 January
Kick-off: 7:45pm AEDT
AAMI Park, Melbourne
Broadcast: The match will be broadcast live on Paramount+ and on 10Bold
