Western United ALM Squad: Round 16 vs Adelaide United

John Aloisi could hand Western United debuts to new signings Michael Ruhs and Connor O’Toole when the Green and Black takes on Adelaide United on Saturday evening.

Both players have been named in the extended squad ahead of the match, which will be United’s 100^th fixture in the Isuzu UTE A-League Men.

Ruhs and O’Toole have been given the No.9 and No.24 shirts respectively and will hope to pull them on for the first time against the Reds.

Ramy Najjarine, United’s third transfer deadline day signing, misses out for this one as he is carrying a minor groin problem from his time at Western Sydney Wanderers.

Elsewhere, Leo Lacroix is back in the extended squad after missing last week’s defeat against Western Sydney with hamstring tightness.

The No.4 will hope to come straight back into the side in competition with the likes of Tomoki Imai and Jacob Tratt at centre-back.

Nikolai Topor-Stanley will not be in the mix at the centre of defence, though, the No.44 having succumbed to a calf injury during the week.

Steven Lustica and Ben Garuccio continue their respective rehabilitation processes, the former edging closer to a return to the pitch in the coming weeks.

United will be out to overturn a defeat to Adelaide earlier in the season and continue edging towards a spot in the top six.

Full Western United squad

Western United squad: 1. Jamie YOUNG (gk), 4. Leo LACROIX, 5. Dylan PIERIAS, 6. Tomoki IMAI, 7. Tongo DOUMBIA, 8. Lachie WALES, 9. Michael RUHS, 11. Connor PAIN, 14. James TROISI, 19. Josh RISDON, 23. Alessandro DIAMANTI (c), 24. Connor O’TOOLE, 27. Jacob TRATT, 31. Adisu BAYEW, 33. Ben COLLINS, 37. Ryan SCOTT (gk) 38. Noah BOTIC, 42. Rhys BOZINOVSKI, 88. Neil KILKENNY, 99. Aleksandar PRIJOVIC

Ins: 4. Leo LACROIX (returns from injury), 9. Michael RUHS (new signing), 24. Connor O’TOOLE (new signing), 31. Adisu BAYEW

Outs: 26. Nicolas Milanovic (departed), 44. Nikolai TOPOR-STANLEY (injured)

Unavailable: 10. Steven LUSTICA (injured), 17. Ben GARUCCIO (injured), 20. Ramy NAJJARINE (injured)