Western United will welcome back Tyla Jay Vlajnic for the visit of Wellington Phoenix in Round 9 of the Liberty A-League Women.
The left-back missed last week’s journey to Perth with a minor muscle strain but has recovered during the week and is in line for selection as United returns home for the first time since Round 1.
As Vlajnic was a late out before the game on New Year’s Day, United’s extended 18-player squad remains totally unchanged from the win in Western Australia.
Hannah Keane was in fine form on that day with a goal and a significant part in the winner, which went down as an own goal.
The American scored a brace last time out against Wellington and will hope to have a similar impact this time around.
Jaclyn Sawicki is ramping up her recovery from a knee injury but will fall just short of selection for this game, while Harriet Withers remains a longer-term absentee for United.
Mark Torcaso’s side will be eager to begin a difficult week with a win ahead of a stretch of three matches in seven days.
Western United squad
Western United squad: 1. Alyssa DALL’OSTE (gk), 2. Stacey PAPADOPOULOS, 5. Aimee MEDWIN, 6. Chloe LOGARZO, 7. Francesca IERMANO, 8. Jessica McDONALD, 9. Hannah KEANE, 10. Kahli JOHNSON, 11. Emma ROBERS, 14. Natasha DAKIC, 15. Adriana TARANTO, 16. Melissa TARANTO, 18. Aleksandra SINCLAIR, 19. Tyla Jay VLAJNIC, 20. Sydney CUMMINGS, 21. Hillary BEALL (gk), 22. Alana CERNE, 24. Julia SARDO
Ins: 7. Francesca IERMANO, 19. Tyla Jay VLAJNIC (returns from injury)
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 4. Jaclyn SAWICKI (injured), 12. Harriet WITHERS (injured)
*two to be omitted
Match Details
Liberty A-League Round 9
Western United vs Wellington Phoenix
Saturday, 7 January
Kick-off: 3:00pm AEDT
City Vista Pavilion and Sports Field, Plumpton
Broadcast: The match will be broadcast live and free on 10Play, and on Paramount+
