Western United ALM Team News: Round 10 vs Newcastle Jets

John Aloisi’s 20-man extended squad is in for Western United’s trip to face Newcastle Jets in the Isuzu UTE A-League Men with a trio of inclusions.

Captain Josh Risdon will miss the contest due to suspension after he picked up his fifth yellow card of the season in last week’s defeat to Sydney FC, leading Aloisi to call-up three youngsters for potential league debuts.

Max Bisetto, Oliver Lavale and Jake Najdovski all featured in United’s Australia Cup campaign over the off-season but have yet to be included in a matchday squad in the Isuzu UTE A-League.

Aloisi has promoted all three players into his extended squad and they will be vying for opportunities on the pitch when the team travels to the Hunter region.

Najdovski has been included in a handful of extended squads throughout this season and last and is continuing his development in training with the first-team.

After rising through the Western United Academy ranks in 2022, Najdovski continues to perform in training and will be eying his first professional minutes in league play.

Lavale made a name for himself in United’s cup campaign with a goal in his professional debut in the Round of 16 against Gold Coast Knights.

The 18-year-old followed that up with a start in the quarter-final against Sydney FC and signed his first senior contract soon after.

Bisetto featured in all three of United’s Australia Cup ties off the bench and has remained connected with the first team while continuing to prepare for next year’s Victorian Premier League 1 season.

He, along with Najdovski and Lavale, will be out to impress Aloisi and his staff in training this week in the hope of earning a place in the matchday squad on Saturday evening.

With Risdon out, the likes of Kane Vidmar and Connor O’Toole will be fighting for a start in defence with plenty of versatility across the backline giving Aloisi flexibility in his selection.

Ramy Najjarine will miss out again with the knock that saw him miss last week’s game against Sydney, while James Donachie and Nikita Rukavytsya also remain sidelined.

Full Western United extended squad

Western United squad: 1. Tom HEWARD-BELLE (gk), 6. Tomoki IMAI, 8. Lachie WALES, 9. Michael RUHS, 10. Steven LUSTICA, 11. Daniel PENHA, 17. Ben GARUCCIO, 21. Sebastian PASQUALI, 22. Kane VIDMAR, 24. Connor O’TOOLE, 27. Jacob TRATT, 32. Angus THURGATE, 33. Matt SUTTON (gk), 35. Max BISETTO, 38. Noah BOTIC, 39. Matthew GRIMALDI, 41. Oliver LAVALE, 42. Rhys BOZINOVSKI, 49. Jake NAJDOVSKI, 77. Riku DANZAKI

Ins: 35. Max BISETTO (promoted), 41. Oliver LAVALE (promoted), 49. Jake NAJDOVSKI

Outs: 19. Josh RISDON (suspended)

Unavailable: 4. James DONACHIE (injured), 7. Ramy NAJJARINE (injured) 13. Nikita RUKAVYTSYA (injured)